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...