As a woman, I am deeply ashamed and disheartened by the recent incident in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, where an 11 year old Dalit girl was forced to sit outside her classroom during an examination simply because she was menstruating. This act of exclusion not only violates her fundamental rights but also highlights the enduring caste and gender-based discrimination that continues to plague our society.

A Class 8 student from a Dalit community was allegedly made to sit outside her classroom during an exam due to menstruation. A video capturing this incident shows the girl seated on the steps of the school building, writing her exam. She is heard telling her mother, who was present, that the principal had directed her to sit there. The girl also mentioned that this was not an isolated occurrence, stating she had previously been made to sit separately during exams.

This incident is not an isolated case. It is part of a broader pattern of discrimination faced by Dalit women and girls in various spheres of life, including education. They are subjected to various forms of abuse and exclusion. Such incidents not only affect the individuals directly involved but also have a detrimental impact on society as a whole, highlighting the cycles of inequality and injustice.

As a society, it's high time we must confront these deeply embedded prejudices. Educational institutions should implement policies to prevent discrimination and promote inclusivity. Teachers and staff must undergo open discussions about menstruation and women's health to dispel myths and reduce stigma. We must stand in solidarity with those who are marginalized and work collectively to dismantle this structure of society. We hope to build a society where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.

As I reflect on this incident, I am filled with a profound sense of shame and sorrow. I often wonder, as a woman, how much more we have to endure in our lives to prove to society that we not only demand equality but also deserve equity. The fact that a young girl was subjected to such humiliation because of natural biological processes is extremely painful. It is disheartening to witness that in this day and age, where we often talk about equality, menstruation, which is a normal and essential aspect of women's health, is still considered a stigma. This incident serves as a striking reminder of the prevalent patriarchal norms and caste-based prejudices that continue to marginalize women, especially those from Dalit communities.

#DalitRights #EndDiscrimination #WomenEmpowerment #MenstrualHealth #EducationForAll