From Stigmas to Strength
Stigmas, Taboos, and Shame
In Nepal, the most pervasive tradition that shame menstruating women is chhaupadi, which translates to "untouchable being." Although chhaupadi was outlawed in Nepal, it is still a common practice in rural villages. Because of this tradition, many menstruating women are not allowed to enter their homes out of fear that the gods will become angry and curse the family. This means that banished women are forced to live in outdoor sheds with minimal protection from the elements and no human contact. Watch the video to hear some women's experiences with chhaupadi.
​
Nepal
Bolivia
A UNICEF study found that girls in Bolivia feel an extreme amount of shame associated with their periods, largely because they are taught that their pads could lead to illnesses as serious as cancer. They are told by teachers to keep their pads unseen, so the girls collect them in their bag during the day and dispose of them at home. Take a look at one Bolivian school girl's story of embarrassment when she first got her period.
​
For the most part, women in Japan are not allowed to be sushi chefs because of menstruation. Yoshikazu Ono, son of a famous Japanese sushi chef, said that “to be a professional means to have a steady taste in your food, but because of the menstrual cycle women have an imbalance in their taste, and that’s why women can’t be sushi chefs.”
​
Japan
India
In India, menstruating women are considered "impure" and are therefore not allowed to do household tasks or be in public spaces. There are also numerous myths surrounding menstruation including that menstruating women cannot touch pickles or they will go bad. These myths all start when school girls are taught to deal with their periods in secret, leadings them to feel ashamed and isolated. Check out this video to see how these myths shape Indian women's lives.
​
Women in Niger are considered tainted while on their periods and must take a hiatus from their normal lives. Although the practices vary across villages, women are not allowed to pray during menstruation, and if they are fasting, they must stop and make up the time after their period has ended. They are also not allowed to do household chores such as gather water or food and must rely on the other local women for help.
​
Faith Yoye, a 55 year-old window who lives in a village in Niger, is required to retreat from her typical life in this way during her period. In addition to this, Faith also must use old cloth rags for absorption. To avoid embarrassment after washing the rags, she must hang them inside of her hut, away from all of her other clothes outside.
​
Niger
Stigmas, taboos, and shame
The stigmas that surround menstruation vary from country to country around the world. These taboos can keep women from holding certain jobs, banish them from their houses, or cause them to feel crippling shame. Below are some examples of the stigmas women face in a few different countries. These stories are in no way representative of every woman's experience, but show some of the social stigmas women endure during their monthly period.
