Menstruation, a natural biological phenomenon that affects half the world's population, is still shrouded in taboo around the globe. Although menstruation is an integral part of women's lives, it is often perceived as dirty, shameful or mystical in certain cultures. These taboos can have a direct impact on women's education, health and rights.
In this article, we explore menstrual taboos in different parts of the world, their origins, and their impact on women's lives.
1. Purity taboos: a worldwide phenomenon
In many cultures, menstruation is perceived as a source of impurity. This belief has its origins in religious or spiritual traditions, which consider menstrual blood to carry impurities or curses.
Practice examples:
- India: In some regions, menstruating women are not allowed to enter temples, cook or touch sacred objects. They are sometimes isolated in a separate room for the duration of their period.
- Nepal: The practice of chaupadi requires menstruating women to sleep in a hut outside the house, as they are considered impure. Although banned by law in 2005, this tradition persists in certain rural areas.
- Japan: In certain Buddhist traditions, menstruating women are not allowed to enter sacred shrines. Some male sushi chefs also justify the absence of women in their profession by claiming that menstruation affects their sense of taste.
Consequences:
- Social isolation
- Stigmatization of women during menstruation
- Obstacle to women's participation in religious practices
2. The taboo of silence: the absence of dialogue about rules
In many countries, menstruation is a taboo subject that people prefer not to mention. This lack of dialogue leads to a general ignorance of menstruation, particularly among young girls, who are ill-prepared for their first periods.
Examples of cultural taboos:
- Sub-Saharan Africa: In some communities, talking about menstruation is frowned upon. Young girls discover their periods on their own, without explanations from their families.
- Latin America: In some countries, such as Mexico, menstruation is still perceived as a matter of shame. It's common to hear coded expressions for menstruation, such as "the visit of the month".
- Eastern Europe: In some regions, menstruation is still an embarrassing topic, even within families. Talking about menstruation is often confined to restricted female circles.
Consequences:
- Lack of menstrual education: Young girls are not given the necessary information about their menstrual cycle, which can lead to poor hygiene practices.
- Shame and stigma: silence around menstruation can reinforce women's sense of shame and inferiority.
3. Mystical beliefs about menstrual blood
In some cultures, menstrual blood is associated with mystical powers. These beliefs may be positive, but they are often used to justify discriminatory practices against women.
Examples of beliefs:
- West Africa: In some tribes, menstruating women are forbidden to touch crops, as it is believed to render them infertile.
- Middle East: Certain beliefs attribute curse powers to menstrual blood. A menstruating woman is seen as capable of casting a spell or causing disaster.
- Italy (ancient superstitions): In the Middle Ages, it was believed that menstruating women could spoil wine and destroy crops if they came into contact with plants.
Consequences:
- Discrimination: These beliefs lead to prohibitions and restrictions imposed on menstruating women.
- Social isolation: Women are sometimes removed from the community during their periods.
4. Economic taboos: menstrual precariousness
The cost of menstrual products is another taboo subject in many countries. Menstrual insecurity affects millions of women who do not have access to adequate sanitary protection, particularly in developing countries.
Examples of menstrual precariousness:
- Africa: In some countries, girls miss school during their periods because they don't have access to sanitary protection. It is estimated that some girls miss up to 20% of school days each year due to menstruation.
- USA and Europe: the tampon tax is a hotly debated topic. In many countries, menstrual products are still considered luxury items and are therefore taxed, making them even more expensive for women.
Consequences:
- Lack of access to sanitary protection: Women use precarious solutions (cloth, sheets, etc.), which increases the risk of infection.
- Dropping out of school: Menstrual precariousness is one of the main causes of truancy among girls in many countries.
- Economic inequalities: The cost of menstrual products represents an additional financial burden for women.
5. Recent changes: towards a lifting of taboos?
In recent years, several initiatives around the world have sought to lift the taboos surrounding menstruation.
Examples of positive initiatives:
- Scotland: In 2020, Scotland became the first country in the world to make menstrual protection free for all women.
- India: Awareness-raising campaigns, notably through the film "Pad Man", have broken certain taboos surrounding menstruation and encouraged access to sanitary protection.
- Social networks: Movements like #PeriodPositive or #FreeThePeriod on social networks aim to destigmatize menstruation and encourage open dialogue.
Summary
The taboos surrounding menstruation vary from culture to culture, but they all have a negative impact on women's lives. Whether it's religious beliefs, mystical superstitions or a lack of access to sanitary protection, these taboos perpetuate the stigma of menstruation and limit women's opportunities in society.
However, recent initiatives show a trend towards the deconstruction of taboos and the normalization of menstruation in some parts of the world. By opening up dialogue and removing economic barriers, it is possible to change the perception of menstruation and improve the lives of women everywhere.
References
- Bobel, C. (2019). The Managed Body: Developing Girls and Menstrual Health in the Global South. Springer. Available at
- Johnston-Robledo, I., & Chrisler, J. C. (2013). The Menstrual Mark: Menstruation as Social Stigma. Sex Roles. Available at
- Crichton, J., Ibisomi, L., & Ezeh, A. (2012). Menstruation and education: How a lack of sanitary products impacts school attendance in Africa. International Journal of Educational Development. Available at
- van Eijk, A. M., et al. (2016). Menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Medicine. Available at
Testimonials: they tell how they cope with menstrual pain