Menstrual Taboos Affect Girls Hygiene and Health Worldwide

The period taboo is a sexist stereotype that continues to affect almost all girls and women around the world Even in 2024, it is surprising to think that there are still many superstitions about periods and dirty torture of girls during periods, the question about the progress of human civilization comes to my mind again and again? Periods are a completely normal and natural biological process just like breathing. Yet it is still almost taboo to talk about or discuss menstruation in our society.

"The shruti includes the Bhagavad Gita" – Humans are not referred to as male or female but as their souls, because a soul has no gender. Therefore, women should not be considered impure or restricted during menstruation.

Chhaupadi is a period taboo among Hindu communities in Nepal and India, where menstruating women and girls are forced to live in huts outside their homes.

The temple of Kamakhya Devi is worshiped as the ‘Blood Goddess’ located at Neelachal Hill in Guwahati. Whereas a girl goes to a shop far away from home to buy sanitary napkins because male customers stare at her or make fun of her, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere for the girl.

First period is often scary for girls. Many girls in many countries have no idea about this natural phenomenon because mothers don’t dare to talk about it. Because of this, many girls get scared and shocked to see this blood flowing from their body. Many people think they are dying or something has gone wrong. Another consequence of this ban is that when girls start their lives as women, many of them do not go to school and consequently fall behind in education.

According to UNESCO, only 50% of Kenyan girls have access to pads. In Nepal and Afghanistan, 30% of girls have skipped school during menstruation, while in India, 20% drop out completely.

Girls face various taboos when they menstruate: In many countries women are considered impure when they menstruate. On top of that, women are still plagued by superstitions such as barring women from entering Thakur’s house, hair can’t be left open, flowers can’t be touched, pickles can’t be eaten, etc. This is not only the story of my country (India), but the story of the whole of Asia, Africa, and even Europe.

You will be more surprised because these prejudices have been carried by women for a long time. Various taboos and false beliefs about periods create an environment in which women and girls are deprived of a fundamental right, thereby compromising their right to hygiene and cleanliness. So, there is a need for publicity and awareness about periods. It is up to us to bring the menstrual cycle back to normal in the eyes of society.

Thankfully, the period tides are turning and, at least in Western culture, periods are becoming more accepted as a normal and appropriate topic of public discussion. Tons of new period startups have launched in recent years, many of them focusing on sustainable menstrual care and changing the conversations we’re having about periods. The more we discuss periods, the more we can dispel these old myths and cultural taboos and move towards general acceptance of menstruation and everyone who menstruates.