Breaking the Taboo: The stigma around menstruation in India

By: Beatriz Atienza

The stigma around menstruation in India: A general vision through “Breaking the Taboo” by Manavi Nag

​As of 2018, 23 million girls from India drop out of school when they start menstruating. Less than 50% of teenagers know about periods when they get theirs. Menstruation is still surrounded by a stigma that causes women to feel ashamed, scared and eventually unworthy of continuing with their normal lives while they are on their periods. Manavi Nag, a 15-year-old from Mumbai, has written a short book called “Breaking the Taboo” which compiles the stories of seven girls on how they got their period for the first time, who educated them on the matter, and how they realised they wanted to work to break the taboo surrounding menstruation in India.

Gayatri, Sara, Kavita, Kirti, Aditi, Aashna, Shreya all went through different situations when they first got their period. However, through their testimonies, we can learn how it is to grow up in an environment where periods are not talked about. In all their stories there are some pivotal points: whether they had received previous education or not, how their families reacted to their period and provided information and sanitary products, and what they learnt from their experience.

Previous education

Some of them had not been educated prior to having their first period. With no basic information about what was going on, they felt scared that something was happening to them, ashamed that they were making a mess of their clothes. This shows that the stigma around menstruation doesn’t stop once a girl gets her period, and, in fact, it worsens, because in that moment, all those years of silence turn into shame and fear. Nothing prepares them for the brutal experience that it is feeling one’s body change. One story that was particularly curious was Kirti’s, who had never received information about menstruation but still she knew that her mother’s dismissive answers weren’t right. Girls are smart, and curious, and they have the right to know what is going on with their bodies.

Others had been educated and knew what their period was, but even in those cases, they still felt confused. However, this confusion is part of the natural process of accepting what is going on with one’s body.

They all explained that, whether they had been educated before or after getting their period, simply knowing what it was about and what was the reality of what they were living relaxed them and made the feel more confident. Education is important. Knowledge is power. If one knows what is happening in their bodies, then the acceptance will be easier.

Family’s reaction and support

A common point among all the stories was that it generally was a relative or a close one who provided the information (if needed) and the sanitary products. It could be their mothers, but also their sisters, cousins, aunts, and even a friend.

For most of them, the reaction of their families was fine, being sensitive and explaining everything to them. Gayatri, for example, was not at home when she got her first period, so her friend took over and taught her how to use a pad. Kavita was not at home either, but her friends and cousins helped her and supported her. Kirti’s mom was not very open about the situation, but her sister took her under her wing and explained everything she needed to know. Aashna was visiting her family in Mumbai, where the taboo was less big than in her community, an she got the help of her mom and aunts.

However, on the other hand, Sara’s mom burned every set of clothes or sheets she would use while being on her period, along with everything she touched. This made Sara feel dirty, ashamed, as if being on her period was something dark and wrong. Family’s support is important. As previously mentioned, of course education on this topic is important, but it has a bigger impact if someone close to the girl is sensitive and caring.

​The girls’ relationship with their periods

All of them declare that, after some time, they became aware of the fact that there was nothing to be ashamed of. They realised that it was society that had made them feel bad about something they could not really control, and they decided to change it. Now they are all taboo-breakers, advocating for a menstrual education and the end of the stigma surrounding it.

This book is just a sample of what it is like to grow up in a society where menstruation is heavily stigmatised. There are as many stories as girls in India, as well as in other countries around the world. The period is a natural process bodies go through, but it is not just a scientific event. Emotions flood through one’s mind when having the period, not only because of the hormones changes, but because it is a turning point from where nothing is the same. Being informed of this, being able to access resources, and feeling supported by our loved ones (especially by fellow menstruating people) is our right, and key to build healthy relationships with our bodies.

Two questions for the author, Manavi

Apart from raising awareness thanks to this book, what else are you doing to break the taboo surrounding menstruation in India?

Manavi: Apart from trying to raise awareness, start conversation and educating people, I have also conducted a workshop with the young girls whose stories are featured in my boom from a vulnerable neighbourhood about the biology and importance behind menstruation and some realistic and implementable solutions about how they can break the taboo surrounding menstruation. Another thing that I have been doing apart from raising awareness is calling out the period taboo when I see it. So, if you see someone doing something that reflects the magnitude of the stigma surrounding menstruation, I think it’s important to let them know that there is nothing taboo about periods. This small gesture can go a really long way.

How can we all as humans create a better environment for people menstruating?

Manavi: We, as a components of a larger society, can do a lot to create a better environment for menstruators. Firstly, we can stop treating menstruation as a secret. If someone is talking to you about menstruation, don’t tell them to lower their voice or silence them because periods are a taboo, listen to them and practice active listening with them. We can also teach our young girls, fro young ages, that menstruation in natural and a universal process, so that they don’t feel ashamed. Lastly, we need to normalise menstruation in our communities so that the norm isn’t to not talk about menstruation, but rather to talk about it!