Menstruation. It's seen as a dirty word all across the world, in nearly every culture. But it is a biological function that is experienced by nearly half the world's population. The stigma can be seen with the immense amount of euphemisms that exist for the term. Almost all of us use these slang words, but we should realize how these stigmas can affect those around the world.
Many cultures avoid talking about periods as it seen as taboo. They've developed detrimental beliefs relating to menstruation. Many of these cultures believe that a menstruating woman is often bad luck and will contaminate the home. Because of the stigma against menstruation around the world, there is a significant lack of health education resources regarding this topic. Due to the lack of education, women are often humiliated and punished during this time.
Although the miseducation of periods continues, it can be exemplified in rural areas. For example, in the rural parts of Nepal and India, women are forced to sleep in huts away from the family during their "time of the month". Due to these huts being very small and cramped, there is poor air ventilation. Recently, a 21-year-old woman in Nepal died from smoke inhalation after trying to light a fire inside the hut to keep warm.
Often times, these women are banished away from their community while they are menstruating. This leads to them not being able to contact anyone for help in case of danger. Many of these women in rural countries don't have access to sanitary pads, which can cause them to miss school and be 70% more likely to have reproductive tract infections.
Luckily, educational programs are being implemented in by non-governmental organizations such as Femme International to teach women about their menstrual health as well as instructing men that menstruation does not make women unclean or unfit to perform normal tasks such as praying, studying, and cooking.
By increasing education, providing the necessary resources, and having conversations about women's health, we can hope that women will no longer be harmed for having their period.
