Menstruation and Gender-Based Violence

Whitecross, Richard

Abstract

Acknowledging the universality of menstruation in 2019, human rights experts noted that ‘the stigma and shame generated by stereotypes around menstruation have severe impacts on all aspects of women’s and girls’ human rights’ (United Nations, International Women’s Day – 8 March 2019 women’s menstrual health should no longer be a taboo, 2019). This chapter highlights how women and girls experience menstruation depends on a complex interrelationship between social, cultural, religious and political contexts. Stigma and shame associated with menstruation negatively impact on women and girls, for example, impacting their access to healthcare, housing, water, sanitation, education, freedom of religion or belief, safe and healthy working conditions. Nor are they able to participate in cultural life and public life without discrimination. These can be difficult to untangle. The intertwined nature of customs and practices associated with menstruation make challenging culturally informed practices difficult. This chapter illustrates these practices by drawing on recent social science and health research conducted in South Asia. The role of religion, as well as social and cultural norms such as caste, shapes and informs the experience of menarche and menstruation. It focuses on a widespread practice, called chhaupadi, in Nepal where women and girls are required to seclude and isolate themselves during menstruation.

Citation

Whitecross, R. (2023). Menstruation and Gender-Based Violence. In P. Ali, & M. M. Rogers (Eds.), Gender-Based Violence: A Comprehensive Guide (311-321). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05640-6_23

• Online Publication Date: Jun 2, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: Jun 3, 2024
• Publisher: Springer
• Pages: 311-321
• Book Title: Gender-Based Violence: A Comprehensive Guide
• ISBN: 978-3-031-05639-0
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05640-6_23
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05640-6_23