How Do Cultural Practices Around the World Influence Menstruation?
Menstruation is a universal biological process, but it is perceived differently across societies. While many communities celebrate menarche rituals around the world as a symbol of womanhood and fertility, in other communities, menstruation is still seen as dirty or humiliating.
Menstrual health and menstrual hygiene initiatives are affected due to these differing attitudes around the world. In most cases, that is what determines the support that women and girls receive.
It is hence of paramount importance to understand the relationship between cultural practices of menstruation around the world and menstrual health. Only then will we be able to build a healthier and less discriminatory future for all women.
Awareness of Menstrual Health and Hygiene
Menstruation has been shrouded in myths and silence for centuries. It may be considered the symbol of life and fertility in one society and a source of pollution or impurity in another. These conflicting perceptions influence how menstruation is discussed and what resources are offered in menstrual care.
Cultural taboos, particularly in developing countries, influence menstrual health and hygiene. During their periods, women are usually encouraged to not attend any religious rituals, cook or access holy places. Not only do these menstrual taboos around the world strengthen exclusion, but they also restrict the confidence and self-esteem of women.
Conversely, other cultures consider the menstrual cycle to be sacred, so they ritualise it by marking the beginning of womanhood. The knowledge of these differences can make us appreciate that culture is not necessarily bad; however, when influenced by misinformation or shame, it may contribute to period stigma in different cultures.
Cultural Practices Around Menstruation
We should have a more detailed look at the way various societies treat menstruation and how such cultural practices of menstruation influence the health and self-esteem of women. Period stigma in different cultures continues to affect millions.
1. South Asia
Countries such as India and Nepal are characterised by limitations during menstruation on the grounds of purity and pollution. Women are asked to sleep separately in some rural areas in what is referred to as Chhaupadi, despite this tradition being prohibited by law. They are not allowed to visit temples or even cook for the family.
While these practices are based on the beliefs of ancient times, they may pose a threat to the menstrual health and hygiene of women because of unsanitary conditions.
Meanwhile, in India, there are also celebratory practices like Ritu Kala Samskara in Tamil Nadu, where, when a girl first gets her period, she is given presents to celebrate her maturity and fertility. This demonstrates that menarche rituals around the world may have limiting as well as liberating significance in various contexts.
2. Africa
In some areas of Africa, menstruation is a very cultural experience. Some tribes rejoice at the girl’s first period through music, dancing, and storytelling to educate her about womanhood and fertility. But in other areas, period stigma in different cultures still remains very strong. Girls are found skipping school because of a lack of sanitary products or embarrassment.
Menstrual health and menstrual hygiene programs in Kenya and Uganda have been breaking these taboos by offering education and reusable menstrual products. Such initiatives aid in breaking the silence and shame that girls experience and help them remain in school.
3. East Asian
In other countries, such as Japan and China, menstruation is not celebrated but rather approached with a lot of discretion. The cultural practices of menstruation in East Asia have a silent stigma attached to them.
Traditionally, women were regarded as ritually impure during menstruation, and some of these concepts remain implicitly influential. However, through modern education and sensitisation, perceptions are being altered. Menstrual health and hygiene campaigns are now promoting open discussions where menstrual leave and health management are discussed as normal topics.
4. Western Societies
Although the West has experienced massive developments in menstrual education and activism, period stigma in other cultures remains. Menstruation has been a long-standing topic meant to be hidden instead of being talked about. A lot of young girls are still ashamed of purchasing sanitary products or discussing periods in front of the crowd.
The last few years have however seen a positive change. Such movements as Free the Period and End Period Poverty demonstrate the significance of discussing the topic and providing access to menstrual products equally. The changes are making menstruation a health and equality concern rather than a personal challenge.
Menarche Rituals Around the World
Menarche, or the beginning of a menstrual cycle, is one of the most important events in the life of a girl. Its marking differs widely according to its cultural origin.
Growth, fertility, and womanhood are celebrated in some menarche rituals around the world - making it a positive experience. Others are either shrouded in secrets, fear, or non-inclusion. Here are a few examples:
- Native American Tribes: Apache Sunrise Ceremony is a ceremony that marks the entry of a girl into the world of womanhood through songs, dance, and blessings.
- Japan: The red rice ceremony, or Sekihan, is a small ceremony in the family that signifies good luck and maturity.
- Africa: In Zambia, girls are informed regarding womanhood and fertility using the Chisungu ritual, in which community members gather.
- India: In South India, the Ritu Kala Samskara is a ceremony that publicly honours menarche, and is often accompanied by a ceremony during which the teenager is attended to by family members, friends, gifts, and blessings.
Although these rituals vary, they have one common subject matter - recognition of menstruation as a defining moment. The issue is converting these traditions to empowering menstrual health and hygiene goals.
Bridging Tradition and Modern Awareness
Culture does not necessarily interfere with menstrual well-being; rather, it can be a means of empowerment. Positive change can be achieved when communities reshape their traditions in terms of health and dignity.
Cultural practices of menstruation are currently being incorporated in community-based education in modern movements. For instance, NGOs in rural Nepal work with local leaders to transform customs like Chhaupadi into safe rituals rather than isolating practices. Likewise, in India and Africa, the use of educational interventions involving mothers and grandmothers as the most important agents of menstrual knowledge encourages inclusive attitudes.
These are community-based initiatives that are perfectly aligned with bigger menstrual health and menstrual hygiene initiatives.
Final Thoughts
Menstruation is not simply a biological process; it is a cultural process that allows women to learn about their bodies and their value. Some menstrual traditions around the world are indicative of purity and power. Others seclude them. It will be through examining such menstrual taboos all over the world and menarche rituals around the world that we can help rebrand these traditions. Real development is only achieved through awareness and open communication. Menstrual health and menstrual hygiene initiatives do not simply involve product distribution or access to education, but also changing attitudes. When societies embrace education instead of exclusion and empathy rather than embarrassment, they develop a society where menstruation is not seen as a symptom of shame but of health.