Taboos and Stigmas That Compound The Impact of Period Poverty

Every month, when girls get their periods, too many face a barrage of challenges—from lack of access to proper sanitary products and facilities, to feelings of isolation and shame. For girls living in poverty-stricken areas across East Africa, taboos and stigmas that further limit their opportunities compound these challenges. Despite the tremendous impact menstruation has on their lives, these vulnerable girls and young women are too often silenced, shamed, and left behind.

We are blessed to meet so many girls at our distributions, who are vibrant, intelligent, curious young ladies, filled with dreams and aspirations to finish their education and embark on careers as doctors, lawyers, scientists, accountants, teachers, community activists, and more. Their resiliency and strength are remarkable.

But, we also hear all-too-common tales of just how diminished their lives become during “that time of the month”. From some, we hear how terrifying the first period experience was, where they many believed a sudden illness had struck them and were about to bleed to death. No one had told them about the natural changes their bodies would go through as they reached puberty.

Others expressed the shame they feel, as the added expense of safe menstrual products further burdens families’ difficult financial hardships. Inside the walls of one-room homes, these families feel the weight of period poverty.

Most girls we meet belong to communities who hold the common belief that menstruation makes a person unclean and unfit to take part in normal activities such as cooking or handling food, attending religious services, holding babies. For those 5-7 days every month, they are considered “less than”. Most tell us they have been publicly shamed and mocked during their cycles and it breaks down their self-confidence. It’s not hard to understand why so many girls opt to withdraw from school, work, and normal activities during their periods. But this must change and education plays an instrumental role.

Huru provides comprehensive education sessions during all of our distributions in order to provide menstrual health and hygiene lessons so girls and young women understand the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty, menstruation, pad use, and care. We also provide instruction which breaks down the entrenched cultural taboos and stigmas that diminish girls and young women in these communities. Addressing long-held beliefs, social norms, and myths about periods, they better understand that having a period is healthy, natural, and normal. We use role-play and other exercises to give them the tools to be assertive and say “no”, establish healthy boundaries and relationships, deal with peer pressure, practice goal-setting, and build self-esteem. It’s remarkable to see these girls emerge from our distributions empowered and confident, equipped to handle their periods and take on their futures.

We need to break down the barriers associated with period poverty in order to keep girls in school so they reach their potential and lift their lives and communities. With your help, Huru can reach more girls in Africa with supplies and education so they can manage their periods safely, with confidence, and with dignity. Please donate today.

Thank you so much for your support!