Is Menstruation Taboo in Africa?

 Menstruation has been considered taboo or ‘unclean’ in most ancient cultures. It is a belief that was formed several centuries ago and has been passed down to be widely adopted as a stigma even today. Female hygiene should top the list of priorities for any government around the world. Unfortunately, women in Africa continue to face the effects of this stigma. Girls and women do not have access to basic sanitization facilities, information on menstruation, and menstrual products.  

Menstruation and periods are regarded as taboo mainly due to the fear of blood. The taboo makes people uncomfortable and embarrassed about periods. While different cultures hold different ideas about menstruation, the stigma has a real effect on the health and happiness of individuals who experience periods.  

The taboo of menstruation mainly affects young girls as they miss out on major developments. Millions of girls do not attend school during their periods owing to shame. From using newspapers, feathers, ash, and rugs for protection, they are also expected to keep the subject under wraps. These methods are unhygienic and can lead to severed vagina infections. They deal with soiled uniforms and bullying that takes a serious toll on mental health. Many girls miss out on school days while some end up dropping out of school.  

No individual should be humiliated about a natural phenomenon like menstruation. Society must recognize the amazing capabilities of the feminine body. Menstruation is a sign of a healthy body and is a way of growth for young girls. It is a part of puberty when a girl transitions onto the journey of growing into a woman. It is no reason for any individual to feel shameful. Rather, this bodily function must generate a feeling of wellbeing and acceptance in society. 

There is no doubt that we have come a long way from how and what menstruation is regarded to be, the subject is still a battle to be won. In many cultures, including African culture, women are ostracized or referred to as unclean during that time of the month. This aspect has a heavy influence on menstrual health. Menstrual management often gets overlooked and women have no choice but to deal with discomfort and health risks. Thus, African society needs to accept and prioritize the menstrual health of women. Every female must have access to quality health care products that enables them to better manage those crucial days during the month. Even though access to quality health care is a human right, many women in Africa continue to lead a poor lifestyle.  

To emphasize, menstruation is not just a feminine issue. The poor health of young girls and women has a direct impact on the development of society. Unhealthy women impact the health system as well as the entire family. It is only when girls thrive that society is uplifted. Thus, Africa still needs to devote menstrual hygiene all the attention that it deserves. 

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