Virtually every woman across the globe has a period. But unfortunately, the majority of women in our world don’t have access to the proper feminine products to keep their period under control. This is especially prevalent in developing countries and the homeless community. According to the Huffington Post, many girls around the world use cut up mattresses or leaves as pads in order to manage their flow. This can lead to infection because of the lack of sanitation that comes along with these “products.”
Perceptions and Misconceptions:
There are a lot of stigmas and taboos that cloud the menstrual cycle, and many times, especially in developing countries, women are often shamed for this natural occurrence. Although some religions and cultures have different views on the role of women in society, women shouldn't have to suffer a loss of dignity that is incurred every month due to their period. Below are some specific examples of these views around the world:
Differences in Menstruation Education:
Across the world, even in the United States, education about the menstrual cycle is rare. Women (and men) are not properly informed about the biological and cultural aspects of the period. Many health professionals and world leaders agree that education on women's health will benefit everyone. These are just some examples of this global lack of education:
Perceptions and Misconceptions:
There are a lot of stigmas and taboos that cloud the menstrual cycle, and many times, especially in developing countries, women are often shamed for this natural occurrence. Although some religions and cultures have different views on the role of women in society, women shouldn't have to suffer a loss of dignity that is incurred every month due to their period. Below are some specific examples of these views around the world:
- In some areas of Japan, women aren't allowed to hold certain jobs, such as a sushi chef, because their menstruation causes "imbalance in their taste," therefore "disabling" them.
- In Bolivia, girls are not even allowed to dispose of their feminine products in public because they are told that it could cause illness or even cancer.
- In parts of India, women and girls have to stay away from the kitchen because it is believed that they will pollute the food. More specifically, they are not allowed to even touch a pickled vegetable because it will spoil.
- In Afghanistan, women are not allowed to shower while they are menstruating because it thought to cause them to become infertile.
- In Iran, almost half of the population of girls is convinced that menstruation is a disease.
Differences in Menstruation Education:
Across the world, even in the United States, education about the menstrual cycle is rare. Women (and men) are not properly informed about the biological and cultural aspects of the period. Many health professionals and world leaders agree that education on women's health will benefit everyone. These are just some examples of this global lack of education:
- A study done in India showed that only 48.1% of girls knew that menstruation was related to pregnancy.
- In the United States, although there is a health class, there is not much education about what periods were and how we could manage them.
- In many countries, studies showed that men had little to no information about periods, or the information that they had was full of falsities.
- In Malawi, periods are so taboo that parents don't even talk to their kids about it.
"There is no tool for development more effective than the education of girls. No other policy is as likely to raise economic productivity, lower infant and maternal mortality, improve nutrition and promote health"
-UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan
-UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan