MENSTRUATION STIGMA



There’s a lot of stigma associated with menstruation and this can be seen in some of the nicknames or euphemisms used for it. Although some of these euphemisms are not derogatory and are in common use, they still make “menstruation” sound like a taboo and should be discouraged because they reinforce the notion that menstruation is connected to shame.
Moving forward, we may want to call a spade a spade , and menstruation,menstruation.

Examples of such euphemisms include;
 
📌 “periods”
📌”Aunty Flo”
📌 “Red
📌 “It’s that time of the month”
📌”w’abu ne nsa” - she has broken her hands
📌 “edo le afeme” -she has stepped/gone out of the house
 📌 “ekp) leti” -she has seen the moon

Globally, the stigma of menstruation is perpetrated by cultural taboos, discrimination, lack of education, silence and “period” poverty (the inability to access/afford feminine hygiene products)

We believe these recommendations will go a long way to smash menstruation stigma;

📌 Family level: Teaching all children irrespective of their sex that menstruation is a perfectly normal phenomenon and avoiding the use of euphemisms while doing so. Let’s not also forget to teach girls of age how to be prepared for their first menstrual flow.




📌 School level: Provide proper waste disposal structures for used absorbents, toilets with running water and doors for privacy.
Sick bays or first aid boxes should also be provided.

📌 Community level: Discourage practices such us isolation shelters for menstruating girls, segregation of cooking and eating utensils and encourage an environment where people are not ashamed to talk about menstruation. Involve boys and men in the fight against menstruation stigma.

📌 National level: Advocate and implement  policies that improve the water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in public spaces especially in schools as well as make sanitary products tax-free.

Kindly note that the above list of recommendations is not exhaustive.
What other recommendations do you suggest to #EndMenstruationStigma ?

Kindly join the ongoing conversation on periods ahead of Menstrual Hygiene Day on our social media handles
Facebook- Marie Stopes Ghana
Instagram- @mariestopes_ghana
Twitter- @MarieStopes_Gh

#MHD2020
#ItsTimeForAction
#PeriodsInPandemics

Call us for FREE on 0800208585 OR send us a WhatsApp message on 0556489090 to know more.
#ChoiceNotChance
#Youth4Choice

CREDITS: Abdul-Hanan Saani Inusah- Youth Advisory Board Member
                    Dzidzor Kwamuar- PRO

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