Redefining Perspectives: Menstrual Taboos for a “Balanced Society”

Kathmandu: Menstrual taboos are deeply rooted in traditions and beliefs that view menstruation as something impure. These ideas originate from centuries of patriarchy and religious interpretations, which turned what might have started as a way to offer rest into strict and harmful practices.

In earlier times, when life was physically demanding and society was male-dominated, women were often seen only as homemakers. Restricting women from certain activities during their periods may have started as a way to provide them with rest from heavy chores.

However, over time, this idea shifted into harmful stigmas like Chhaupadi, a traditional practice in parts of Nepal, particularly in the western regions, where menstruating women and girls are considered “impure” and are isolated from their families and communities.

The menstrual cycle gradually became a psychological shackle for a woman. It not only made women feel separated but weak time and again. People even started to behave in a discriminatory way with a woman undergoing her shackle. And treat them as an impure element on auspicious occasions.

Religious stories and myths have also played a significant role in reinforcing these stigmas. According to a press release by UNICEF about Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management in May 2022, ‘More than two-thirds of women in Nepal reported not participating in everyday activities while menstruating. This indicates a high level of social and cultural restrictions that women and girls face during their menstrual periods.’

It’s important to acknowledge how these taboos limit women’s opportunities and growth. When menstruation is viewed as something to be ashamed of, it limits a woman’s ability to participate fully in society.

For instance, in some cultures, girls are kept out of school once they begin menstruating, further perpetuating cycles of inequality. Education, which is a fundamental human right, is denied to them because of a natural process. These are not just problems of the past but persistent challenges we face today.

The impact of such taboos reaches beyond the individual to affect families, communities, and entire societies. When a girl is forced to leave school, it affects not only her future but also the broader societal fabric. Even in modern households, these beliefs persist. Women often find themselves pushed into separation during their period, unable to enter kitchens or temples even when they want to.

The frustration lies in being forced to adhere to customs that treat a natural bodily function as a flaw to be hidden. It’s one thing when a woman chooses to rest, but when isolation is imposed, it sends a deeper, more painful message—that menstruation is something to conceal, rather than strength.

These practices continue to reinforce the harmful notion that a woman’s worth is diminished during this time and that she must be kept apart. This isn’t just about physical isolation, but emotional and psychological isolation.

The shame attached to menstruation can affect a woman’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem, leading to feelings of embarrassment, guilt, and inadequacy. It teaches women that their bodies are something to hide, that the very thing that makes them capable of bringing new life into the world is something to be ashamed of.

Rather than glorifying the strength of the menstrual cycle, women became victims of social discrimination and even faced unhygienic and risky situations. Many women have lost their lives in Chhaupadi huts due to preventable causes. Women have died due to snake bites, extreme weather, or lack of medical care while isolated in these huts.

Similarly, according to the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), the practice is most common in the western provinces of Karnali and Sudurpashchim, where one-fifth and one-quarter of menstruating women between ages 15–49, respectively, were excluded from staying in the house during their latest menstrual period.

The DHS report also found that eighty-five percent of women were excluded from at least one activity while menstruating. Girls and women also faced exclusion on the lives of girls and women, including limiting school attendance.

Some argue that menstrual restrictions provide rest, but when they turn into rigid, discriminatory practices, they do more harm than good. Modern approaches to menstrual health focus on care and support without isolation. When women are excluded from society just because they’re menstruating, it reinforces the idea that they are somehow lesser.

While respecting traditions is important, it shouldn’t come at the expense of human rights and dignity. Traditions can and should change as society moves forward.

Harmful practices have been left behind before, and it’s time menstrual taboos followed. The continued stigma around menstruation is a reminder of how much work still needs to be done. This natural process, essential for human life, should be accepted and treated with respect, not hidden away.

These words are not just a call for change, they are a call to action. Menstruation is not a weakness. It is a natural process that should be celebrated, not condemned. When women are empowered to speak openly about menstruation, it helps normalize the conversation and break down the barriers of silence and shame.

To truly change things, education, open conversations, and action are needed. Workshops, community projects, and discussions are key to breaking down these harmful beliefs and creating a world where menstruation is seen as the normal, powerful process it is.

With the right approach, society can move towards a future where girls don’t miss school, women don’t face isolation, and menstruation is finally accepted for what it truly is: a vital, natural part of life. And women can openly reveal their menstrual cycle without any hesitation.

Moreover, there is also a need for women to take the menstrual cycle as a natural gift rather than accepting the traditional practices of society. Women must be able to make their environment feel that having periods is not a sign of appearing weak but simply a biological cycle. And people must know the achievements that a woman can accomplish even during her menstrual cycle.

When women are treated with dignity and respect during their periods, it sends a message that they are equal members of society. It affirms that they have the right to live their lives freely, without being bound by outdated and harmful traditions. Together, we can build a society where menstruation is recognized for what it truly is: a symbol of strength, life, and vitality.

Every conversation, every workshop, and every educational campaign is a step forward. With time and collective effort, the stigma around menstruation will begin to fade, and we will see a world where women and girls no longer have to face shame, isolation, or discrimination for something as natural as menstruation. As we continue to fight for progress, let us remember that change is not only possible but inevitable. And, ultimately, it will be for the betterment of all.

Shreyashi Neupane is a passionate women’s rights activist dedicated to advocating for women’s rights and gender equality.