Global Views on Menstruation Today

Periods are a tricky topic all across the globe. There are only certain Indigenous and African communities that celebrate a girl’s first period and puberty as a rite of passage. The rest of the globe lags behind. Myths about periods being unclean and debilitating run rampant. These myths are completely untrue, but when individuals and institutions take them as the truth, the outcomes are dire. Women and girls around the world are shamed for the way their bodies naturally function. 

 

 

Western Countries 

In the global west, periods are slowly but surely becoming destigmatised. Lots of pseudoscience and misconceptions need to be undone before women are no longer shamed for menstruating. In the late 1800s, it was glaringly apparent to scientists that periods made women inferior to men. Men were capable of manual labour at any time, but women were “sick” and “unfit for hard work” for a quarter of the month. This was accepted as fact without concrete evidence, and undoing these ideas has taken centuries. This strategy was used to deter women from the workforce. It created a culture of shame and embarrassment. Female researchers were the ones who had to prove that menstruation does not hinder all women. 

Additionally, generalising periods as a simple, monthly illness allowed doctors to dismiss the experiences of women with much more severe menstrual issues like endometriosis or fibroids. Women with these painful conditions were made to believe that their pain was the same as everyone else's and that they were being dramatic. This is still a problem in the global west. Women’s experiences with menstrual pain must be taken more seriously before true equality can be reached. 

 

Period Poverty 

Period poverty is a global issue, even in developed countries with plentiful resources. It is not just about having access to affordable and safe period products but also about having a hygienic and private place to use them, free of shame. Without these essentials, the lives of women and young girls are negatively impacted. 

In the United States, almost two-thirds of women could not afford period products in 2018, and nearly half of women reported that they could not afford both food and period products. In the United Kingdom, almost one million girls aged 14-21 reported that they could not afford menstrual products during the pandemic. Three-quarters of these girls said they had to resort to using toilet paper instead of a proper pad. 

In some countries in the global south, the reality is much worse. Myths about periods run rampant. They may seem ridiculous at first, but the reason they are so harmful is because people actually believe them. For example, in India, some women who are menstruating are banned from cooking or even entering the kitchen under the belief that they will contaminate the food. Across many other countries, people believe that women are unable to work and girls are unable to go to school due to menstruation. In Indonesia, 73% of people believe that women and girls should not enter a place of worship while on their period. 

In developing countries, it is estimated that half of women have to resort to things like rags, grass, or paper when they get their period. This is not only uncomfortable, but it also poses serious health risks like irritations and infections. In Kenya and Uganda, once girls get their period, they are often no longer allowed to go to school, denying them their right to education. 1 in 10 girls in sub-Saharan Africa are forced to miss class while they are menstruating. Even if they are allowed in school the rest of the time, missing class when they are on their period amounts to about 20% of the school year, resulting in girls falling behind the boys their age. 

Schooling is not the only thing impacted by menstruating. In rural Nepal, a tradition called Chaupadi is still practised despite being banned in 2005. During Chaupadi, women and girls are banished to live in outdoor huts for the entire length of their period. Sometimes this is with animals and usually in unsanitary conditions with no collection methods. This causes not only health issues but also extreme psychological hardship. 

 

Navigating the Stigma

Getting your period is a natural process that signifies your body’s health and your ability to have children. It is nothing to be ashamed of. So, be kind to yourself. It is normal to let negative messages about periods get the best of us. Even if you know your period is completely normal and natural, downsides like pain and PMS are very real and can make your attitude towards your period negative. However, there are several ways we can all play a part in undoing the stigma around menstrual cycles.

 

Start by understanding your cycle

1. Get to know the ebbs and flows of your cycle by tracking it. Apps, journals, or simple calendars can help you recognise patterns in your physical and emotional health.
2. Acknowledge and honour your needs during each phase, whether that’s extra rest, nutrition, or self-care.
3. Remind yourself that experiencing menstruation is a common and natural bodily function and that you always deserve to feel safe and comfortable.
   

 

Get comfortable talking about menstruation

1. You can start with casual conversations about menstruation that use language that addresses periods as they are. Not dirty, shameful, or unclean, but a common and natural bodily function that happens to half of the population.  
2. Use straightforward language when talking about menstruation. Avoid euphemisms that can perpetuate secrecy or shame.
3. Encourage open dialogue with friends, family, and even colleagues where appropriate. This helps to normalise the experience and reduce the stigma.
4. Educate others, especially young people, to build confidence early and dispel myths and misinformation.
   

 

Challenge Societal Norms

1. Instead of undoing this shame and stigma when girls are older, we can start instilling confidence in young women before they are influenced by the negative ideals around periods that are so prominent across the globe.
2. Address and question harmful language like “sanitary pads” or “feminine hygiene” that implies dirtiness. It helps to talk about periods as they are. Advocate for terms like "menstrual products."
3. Speak out against period-related jokes or myths that perpetuate negativity. Code words for periods like “Aunt Flow” and “Monthly” suggest that the words “period” or “menstruating” are not appropriate. 
4. Support media and educational content that represent menstruation in a positive and realistic light.
   

 

Advocate for Period Equity

1. Support initiatives and organisations that fight for accessible menstrual products and education.
2. Join or start campaigns that push for policies ensuring period products are free in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.
3. Discuss the importance of workplace policies that support menstruating individuals, such as flexible working conditions or leave policies.
   

 

Practice Self-Compassion

1. Validate your feelings during your period, whether it’s about physical discomfort or societal pressures.
2. Engage in self-care routines that help manage period symptoms like exercise, proper nutrition, and mindfulness.
   

 

Support Others

1. Be a supportive friend or family member by listening and sharing resources.
2. Help create safe spaces for conversations about periods, free of judgment or embarrassment.
3. Stand in solidarity with those who may face even greater stigma due to cultural, religious, or societal norms.
   

 

Educate and Empower

1. Educate yourself and others about the biological aspects of menstruation to dispel myths and fears.
2. Share empowering stories and experiences that highlight the strength and resilience of menstruating individuals.
3. Encourage the inclusion of comprehensive menstrual education in schools to foster a supportive and understanding environment for all.

 

Where periods are celebrated

Not all cultural customs are negatively charged towards periods. Some countries celebrate the cycle!

In Ghana, the Akan community celebrates a girl’s first period through a big feast, where older women and girls share their guidance. They share stories, tips and tricks on dealing with menstruating and supply collection methods for the girl. This is a brilliant way to encourage young women not to feel ashamed of having a period. We can take inspiration from this tradition when we aim to build confidence for young menstruators. 

The Amazonian Tikuna tribe, an Indigenous nation that resides in parts of Brazil, Columbia, and Peru, celebrate a girl's first period by spending anywhere from three months to one year living in a private room in their family home. This offers the girls time for self-reflection and self-discovery while they learn more about their tribe’s history and culture. This rite of passage ends with the girl re-entering her community through a celebration. 

Some North American indigenous tribes celebrate a girl's first period with something called the Sunrise Ceremony. Traditional symbolic attire is essential, and the girl is offered gifts from her tribe. There is also a feast in this tradition. 

 

In conclusion, periods remain a challenging topic worldwide. While some Indigenous and African communities honour a girl’s first period and puberty as a significant rite of passage, much of the world falls short. Misconceptions about menstruation being unnatural continue to spread, despite being entirely unfounded. Yet, when these myths are embraced, the consequences are severe. There must be global, tangible changes in the way women’s health issues are approached in order for true equality to be reached.