Unveiling menstrual taboos: Fostering open dialogue and using digital platforms

Menstruation, known as a woman’s period or ‘mahinawari’ in Nepali, is a natural biological process that occurs in females of reproductive age, including both animals and humans. It involves the shedding of the uterine lining and is accompanied by hormonal changes as the body prepares for potential pregnancy. However, it is unfortunate that in different parts of the world, including Nepal, menstruation has long been accompanied by taboos and cultural restrictions. These taboos are rooted in cultural and religious beliefs that consider menstruating women as impure or unclean. These beliefs often result in the marginalization and exclusion of women during their menstrual cycles, imposing numerous restrictions on their daily lives. For example, in many places, women are prohibited from entering religious spaces, participating in religious ceremonies, or touching objects considered sacred. They also face limitations in their domestic activities, such as entering the kitchen, being forbidden from preparing certain foods or coming into contact with family members. However, these restrictions can have profound impacts on the lives of menstruating women. They can experience feelings of shame, embarrassment, and isolation due to societal attitudes that perpetuate the notion of impurity associated with menstruation. Such beliefs can lead to a lack of understanding and empathy toward women's natural bodily processes. Is menstruation a taboo?

Certainly, not. A survey conducted among 50 different youths also showed that it is not. However, though younger as well as older generations feel that it is not a taboo, people still follow the practices of untouchability and impurity during menstruation due to the societal stigma and belief. Although  the surveyed individuals did not personally consider menstruation as taboo, it is important to acknowledge that cultural beliefs and practices related to untouchability and impurity during menstruation still persist in many instances. Societal stigma and deeply ingrained beliefs continue to shape the perception and treatment of menstruation.

Prasansa Shrestha, a banker, said that menstruation is a natural phenomenon and it’s not a curse like many relate it to. “It even purifies our blood. I however, personally have to follow the rules of my family for 4 days as it is a deep-rooted tradition in our community”. Cultural norms and societal expectations have a significant influence on behavior and practices, and individuals may conform to these norms due to the fear of being judged or the pressures of societal expectations. As a result, even if individuals themselves do not view menstruation as taboo, they still adhere to practices of untouchability or consider menstruation as impure due to the prevailing cultural beliefs. Even a health sector practitioner who believes that it is a very natural and biological process personally follows the rules of her family and community due to deep-rooted traditions. “I personally do not believe in these things but due to the family background and in-laws I am forced to follow the traditional norms and also make my two daughters follow the same”, she said requesting anonymity. These examples and situations reflect how cultural norms and societal expectations can exert influence on individual behavior and practices, even if they don't align with personal beliefs. A visual storyteller, Sujaan Shrestha has a different view. She believes the word taboo is incorrect as it is a natural process that teaches a woman the value of life in ways that a man's body would not experience throughout his life. She believes that it is not a contentious issue that everyone should argue. “What bothers me is only the fact that women suffer problems and comment on them even in this age”. According to her, it was one of the ways that women could take a break in the home since before they had to do all the domestic tasks without a break, which later became a taboo of ‘nachune’ or ‘chuna nahune’.  Even in her family, they follow different regulations like not entering and working in the kitchen and not going to the worship or praying area. Nelson Isa Bahati, from Uganda said that there are no restrictions in his country related to menstruations. “We do not stress our sisters when they have their periods but well it is not talked about openly as it is taken as a private and sacred issue”. Allen Munoriyarwa from University of Botswana said that to fight the societal taboos related to menstruation everyone should be involved and specially men should be conscientized about these issues as well because they are also part of this perpetuation of ill-founded taboos about human mensuration.  These perspectives reflect how cultural beliefs and practices surrounding menstruation can vary across different regions and communities. While there may not be specific restrictions, the cultural norm of keeping menstruation as a private matter can contribute to a lack of open dialogue and limited public awareness about menstrual health. Promoting menstrual hygiene? To address this, efforts are needed to encourage open discussions about menstruation, promote education and awareness, and challenge the cultural norms that hinder open communication. By fostering an environment where menstruation can be openly talked about without stigma or secrecy, we can ensure that individuals have access to accurate information, support, and resources for managing their menstrual health effectively. What can be done in Nepal? Director of International Programs for Soft Skills, AHA, USA, Ayusha Shrestha highlights the need of developing a dedicated mobile application (in both Nepali & English) that serves as a comprehensive resource hub for menstrual health education. Both private as well as government and non- government sectors should work on this to make the younger as well as older generation understand the importance of education. Shrestha suggests including features like interactive quizzes, informative articles, step-by-step guides for proper hygiene practices, and a forum where users can anonymously ask questions or share their experiences.  In order to get maximum reach to create awareness and impact digital apps like these should be promoted through social media campaigns and in partnerships with relevant influencers via different popular digital platforms like Tiktok, Youtube shorts, etc.  Many Nepali men I talked to said that they had no idea about this or do not want to talk about this stating that it is not at all a men’s issue. However, global data shows that men are more into creating the awareness and impact on talking about periods and menstrual hygiene. This perspective reflects how cultural beliefs and practices surrounding menstruation can vary across different regions and communities.  While some Nepali men may lack knowledge or avoid discussing menstruation, research and global data indicate that men can have a significant impact in raising awareness and promoting positive change regarding periods and menstrual hygiene. Studies have shown that well-informed men are more likely to support menstrual hygiene management, challenge taboos, and improve access to menstrual products and sanitation facilities. Therefore, engaging men in conversations about menstruation helps break down gender stereotypes and promotes gender equality. Their involvement fosters empathy, understanding, and support for women and girls experiencing menstruation, creating a more inclusive environment. Initiatives worldwide, such as the Menstrual Hygiene Day campaign (celebrated today) actively encourage men to become advocates and allies in breaking menstrual taboos and ensuring menstrual equity. Involving men in menstrual health discussions is crucial for building a more informed and supportive society. Their participation can help challenge stigma, promote inclusivity, and contribute to a more equitable understanding of menstruation. Promoting menstrual hygiene in countries where menstruation is not publicly discussed requires a multifaceted approach. Sujaan highlights the need for educational and behavioral changes to raise awareness and deliver accurate information. Education and access to basic sanitary facilities are critical for empowering girls and women. Almost all the women I talked to had a common view that men and boys participating in menstruation talks can help create a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere.  While there may not be specific restrictions, the cultural norm of keeping menstruation as a private matter can contribute to a lack of open dialogue and limited public awareness about menstrual health. To address this, efforts are needed to encourage open discussions about menstruation, promote education and awareness, and challenge the cultural norms that hinder open communication. By fostering an environment where menstruation can be openly talked about without stigma or secrecy, we can ensure that individuals (both men and women) have access to accurate information, support, and resources for managing their  and their family’s menstrual health effectively.  The author holds a PhD degree in Development Communication with focus on ICT for socio-economic development. She is the managing director of Beyond Impact Nepal