A few years back a piece of news had gone viral about a British woman receiving a note from the neighbor because she hung her lacy undergarments out to dry on the clothesline. That angry note was received by her mother from a neighbor. She took the issue further and posted it on Facebook. How a piece of fabric can make someone angry?
In India, we have come a long way from where we stood centuries back, we are openly buying undergarments, and sanitary pads and discussing menstrual cups but there are still many taboos we need to fight with.
Centuries back, women used to sew their undergarments and make clothes pads because they were not allowed to go out and buy things. And women who were allowed used to pack it in dark-colored bags or polythenes so that it can be hidden from the men of the house.
Today it seems a little has changed only because women are still getting shamed for hanging underwear on the clothesline. They have to keep it in a separate space in their families because that is what a woman with good values would do.
School girls are getting body-shamed for wearing bras either too early or too late. This leads to a rise in the inferiority complex and silently acceptance of the social stigma.
The question is why hanging undergarments out to dry is a big deal for people.
"Sexual Objects"
Women's undergarments are considered sexual objects to men in society. Working women who live in a PG or hostel are being warned by their landlords not to hang underwear on the clothesline. They get accused of arousing men and young boys by hanging their lingerie outside because their undies are nothing but sexual objects.
"Women's Underwear is Private affair"
Women in rural areas are dealing with even worst conditions; they are not allowed to talk about it openly, it is something only their husbands or mothers would buy, and they can not let it be seen by men of the family.
Instead of hanging underwear on the clothesline, they hang it under some clothes(to keep it hidden) or leave it inside behind the doors of the bathroom. Research has told that underwear not dried in the sunlight can grow microorganisms that cause so many intimate diseases in women, e.g. Itching, Vaginal swelling, Burning sensations after peeing, skin bumps, etc.
Not only with undergarments women are shamed and stigmatized for menstruation, periods stains, and sanitary pads that only stay hidden. Teen girls have to face a lot that affects their studies and physical growth.
How strongly patriarchy has dug its claw into women's affairs that women have to sacrifice their health and hygiene to serve the norms of patriarchal society. Lingerie shaming has to stop.
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