Period. There, I said it. That forbidden word that men try to ignore and pretend that, if they don’t acknowledge it, it will not exist. Menstruation. In America, a woman’s monthly cycle is socially accepted to a degree; however, other cultures are much less accepting. Despite cultural differences, all women are part of a type of sisterhood, sharing the common experience of having a period.
Look at that woman at the London Marathon, Kiran Gandhi. Kiran ran without a tampon and practically caused a conniption. While many people knew of Kiran, her popularity and controversy overtook the winner of the marathon, Tigist Tufa.
This occurrence revealed a lot about menstruation in America. This showed that people are wiling to accept it, as it is unavoidable, yet there is something about the actual blood that is quite inappropriate. Despite the social pariah that is a woman’s period, cultures around the world practice shocking period rituals.
INDIA. In India, a woman on her period is considered unclean. OK, we have heard that once or twice before, right? But wait, there's more. A female on her period should not enter a temple or even offer prayers during her period. In the Hindu tradition, it is prohibited to enter temple. In some cases, mostly in rural India, a girl will stop attending school after getting her period because she is at an age where she can get married and bear children.
TAIWAN. Women on their periods cannot go to temple in Taiwan. Other than that, girls are not required to go to gym class. Maybe some schools in the U.S. will let you out of gym class, but I sure know that my middle and high school was not often buying that as a reason to get out of class. It is safe to say that this has not stopped me from trying a time or two! Interestingly enough, women in Taiwan do not drink cold beverages when they are on their period like ice water, and often drink herbal tea to remedy cramps.
LATVIA. In Latvia during Soviet times, a woman’s cycle was largely pretended to not exist. In the way that censorship largely stopped any discussion about periods. Girls would often have to learn from a mother or their doctor, because it was not a socially accepted topic. Even in the late 20th century, women were using makeshift pads out of gauze or cotton sheets and sanitizing them in boiling water. Although Western products and information have influenced the culture, modesty and the cautious use of tampons and pads are still prevalent throughout Latvia today.
KENYA. Throughout most of Kenya, a woman’s period is openly discussed and stores provide a wide variety of products to make a woman as comfortable and clean as possible. In some small villages in rural Kenya however, traditions can differ. In the village Daba, woman are not allowed near livestock or to even drink milk or their meat for fear that she will never be able to bear children. Men say that they cannot go near a menstruating woman because she is unclean, and she can become cursed if she approaches them. When a wife has her period, a man goes with his other wife and can return after her period has ended. Fabric is often used in place of a sanitary pad.
Women all over the world, across all cultures and races have to deal with their period. However, some are isolated during their period and must follow strict traditions, while others are educated and their actions are not limited. To learn more about periods around the world, read here and use #menstruationmatters to spread awareness of period traditions around the world.
