Breaking the bloody taboos around menstruation

 What is period poverty?

Period poverty is defined as the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, education and facilities due to financial constraints. It is often coupled with the term 'Menstrual hygiene management' (MHM) which outlines specific hygiene and health requirements of periods. In Africa, women are unable to access menstrual products and dispose of menstrual waste safely due to the inadequate WASH facilities which leads to negative physical, social and economic consequences. Due to the discriminatory patriarchal norms which result in period shame, On 28 May 2013, WASH United created ‘Menstrual Hygiene Day’ to create awareness.


A Video created by the World Bank to promote Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022.

The shame and stigma surrounding periods.

In African communities, periods are deeply stigmatised and associated with shame and taboo. Many girls are led to believe that periods are ‘unclean’ and often feel ashamed and stressed when they menstruate. The struggle to speak about the topic contributes to a cycle of disempowerment within African communities. One reason for this is a lack of education about the menstrual cycle, particularly how to safely manage it. Misinformation is carried down by generations, which leads to difficulties in management. Lack of access of affordable and reliable products can also lead to a sense of hopelessness within communities.

Case Study: MHM in Tanzania

In Tanzania, period poverty and inadequate MHM affects over 80% of girls and women living in rural and low-income households. Sadly, the lack of access to affordable  products means that many women rely on improvised menstrual hygiene products, such as rags, leaves, tissue paper and cowdung. These improvised products can lead to dangerous health risks such as reproductive and urinary tract infections, as well as future infertility and birth complications. Additionally, inadequate WaSH facilities result in girls missing 3-4 days of school per month, significantly impacting their academic performance. The devastating result of loss of education means that these girls have a higher chance of becoming victims of forced child marriage. To address these issues, Plan International implemented a program called ‘Eliminating Barriers to Education’, providing education, free access to MHP and extra support with managing menstruation hygiene needs at school. So far it has been successful in reducing absenteeism among girls in school, and has improved their overall health and wellbeing. 



Figure 1:  Plan International teaching girls in Tanzania about MHP 

How does period poverty affect development?

To improve the development of women, we must remove the stigma and shame surrounding menstruation as it can lead to discrimination and social inclusion, hindering development opportunities for women. In Africa, where men dominate decision making at a local and national level, discussions need to be opened up to men and boys, to educate them instead of allowing them to be ignorant and overshadowed by negative cultural beliefs. Encouraging and promoting MHM is not just a sanitation issue, but also an essential step towards protecting the dignity, physical integrity and life opportunities for women globally. 




Comments

  1. Emily Platt6 January 2023 at 10:05

    This was a difficult read but an important one. As a woman, I find it heartbreaking to imagine girls have to line their underwear with cow dung due to having a lack of alternative. It upsetting that a natural process which young women have no choice over is subject to so much stigma. How do you think period poverty should be addressed?

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  2. Kavitri Parmar8 January 2023 at 18:29

    Thank you for your comment Emily. There are several steps that can be taken to address period poverty. Firstly, increase access to affordable, high-quality sanitary products: This can be done through initiatives such as providing subsidies or distributing free products to those in need.
    Secondly, improve education about menstruation: This can involve providing information and resources about menstrual hygiene, as well as breaking down taboos and stigma surrounding menstruation. Thirdly, promote gender-inclusive policies and programs: This can involve creating policies that ensure that girls and women have access to the same opportunities as boys and men, including education, employment, and healthcare. Lastly, address the root causes of period poverty: This can involve addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and lack of access to education and healthcare. Overall, it is important to adopt a multifaceted approach to addressing period poverty in Africa, one that addresses both the immediate needs of those affected and the underlying issues that contribute to the problem.

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