Menstruation affects over 800 million individuals daily, yet it remains widely misunderstood and stigmatized. Period stigma, rooted in cultural, religious, and social norms, perpetuates harmful narratives that portray menstruation as shameful or impure, limiting open conversation and contributing to health inequities. This stigma hinders menstrual equity by restricting access to menstrual products, accurate health education, and autonomy over reproductive health. Menstruators in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal often face systemic barriers, including lack of self-efficacy, gender inequality, and limited access to care and education, all of which compound the stigma. While previous interventions have attempted to address menstrual health through education or product access, few have successfully integrated multiple approaches or tackled the deeper socio-cultural roots of stigma. This paper explores the historical and structural origins of period stigma and argues for intersectional, culturally informed strategies that combine education, resource access, and community-based change to advance menstrual equity.
Leave a Reply