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Menstruation is a natural biological process billions of women all over the world go through. Yet, even today, many of these activities are shrouded in silence, shame, and stigma.
Menstruation is enveloped by widespread stigma that has deeper consequences for the health, education, and well-being of women as a whole.
Menstrual stigma is often rooted in deep-seated cultural taboos and religious beliefs, coupled with misinformation. Most often, women in menstruation are considered “impure” or “unclean”; thus, they are excluded from participating in social and religious activities.
This would manifest in different ways, from the use of euphemisms that do not mention menstruation, to embarrassment when buying menstruation products.
The ramifications of such stigma are profound: Girls who are out of school during their periods, either because they lack the facilities to manage them properly or because they don’t have sanitary products, compromise their futures.
Even on into adulthood, women in the workplace may be discriminated against, suffer discomfort, and not even be able to talk about their needs openly.
Women are even deterred from seeking medical help for menstrual disorders because of this ‘shame’, with consequences for health that could be serious.
Menstruation stigma requires a multi-faceted approach. Education will, therefore, play an important role in this regard, where full menstrual health education to all genders is necessary for dispelling myths that breed misconceptions and foster understanding.
There is a need for improved access to affordable and sustainable menstrual products, besides the provision of adequate sanitation facilities in schools and public areas.
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The media and public figures can also contribute to raising awareness by frankly discussing menstrual problems as part of the process of normalizing the discussion.
Policymakers have to pay attention to menstrual health from a public health and human rights perspective through enabling policies and programs.
Breaking the silence on menstruation goes beyond a women’s issue; it actually concerns making society more equitable.
The stigma can be overcome so that this natural biological process does not hold back half of the world’s population from realizing their potential.
This calls for open dialogue, education, and effective action to place the stigma in the annals of history.