The role of rural women in our society is exactly what we as women make it; we’re capable and have potential to do whatever we desire. After being oppressed with patriarchy for centuries, being female has been associated with only being capable of childcare and housework. Currently we’ve come far from this image, with women coming out of their traditionalist roles in houses to other roles in society which are usually associated with men, such as engineering and medicine, but is this really enough? People in rural and regional places globally are less subject to being educated on societal progression and have little access to current information. This often results in traditional oppressive behaviours towards women, the movement of women’s rights usually coming to a halt. Our empowerment, as females cannot continue if women in rural areas are unaware of our disadvantages. The role of rural women in driving change in their communities is to be aware ourselves and educate our women and girls of our rights as females.

An example of the female experience being suppressed by society is the stigma around menstruation. Periods happen to over 800 million women and girls around the world, yet we insist that females behave the same every day of the month. During one’s menstruation period, the body discards the monthly buildup of the lining around one’s uterus. Menstrual blood and tissue flow from the uterus through the opening in the cervix and pass out of the body through the vagina. Extreme pressures come with experiencing menstruation, with affecting symptoms visible before, during, and after menstruating.

Period pressures during one’s period includes bleeding; having to timely change sanitary items in use, otherwise risking out of control leaking of period blood. Menstrual cramps, also referred to as Dysmenorrhea, is the dire pain a female goes through due to the uterine lining collapsing during menstruation. Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS are symptoms that occur in females of any age, typically between ovulation and during the menstrual cycle, which include a range of symptoms across the body.

Societal pressures don’t make the female experience any easier. Rather than being celebrated as a symbol of maturity or femininity, women and girls of all ages are expected to struggle with menstruation in secrecy. Despite everyone of age knowing that menstruation occurs in most females, it isn’t openly discussed. Have you ever seen a girl holding a tampon in public? Have you heard of a young girl’s celebration experiencing their menarche? Regional areas are less catering to a menstruating person’s needs, as they usually don’t have access to education on menstruation, let alone sanitary products. Sanitary products play a big role in menstrual hygiene, and period poverty can result in vaginal diseases which are potentially fatal, which is often the case in remote areas. With all this combined, girls and women everyday are expected to treat their week of menstruation as any other day.

The role of rural women in communities are the standard we set for ourselves, but in regards to menstruation, it is to build each other up and have a conversation about things that aren’t necessarily comfortable. Menstrual hygiene management provides an incredible opportunity to empower women and girls, remove the stigma around menstruation and removing restrictions on women everywhere. The only way for us, as women to move forward is to ensure we progress is through make sure all rural women are at the same step of empowerment. Therefore, the role of rural women in our communities is to advocate for our rights as women and ensure all females receive equal opportunities.