Blog 7 Reflections on menstrual management among schoolgirls in rural Kenya

  The onset of menstruation is a defining moment in a young woman's life. "Yet the complications and challenges that can accompany such an event have been understudied, specifically in resource-poor settings". In this study, six schools in Nyanza Province of Western Kenya were observed, interviewed and data were collected. "Menstruation is managed differently according to cultural, social and economic contexts. For young girls in poor, rural settings who often receive minimal instruction on what menstruation is and how it can be managed, the experience has been described as frightening, confusing and shame-inducing".  It is important to understand how young girls and their mentors cope with menstruation in an environment where access to clean water and sanitary products are limited and discussing the topic is considered inappropriate or forbidden. For girls in developing countries, menstruation can prevent them from attending school during these days each month.  "A pilot intervention in Ghana found that after six months of free sanitary pad provision, girls missed significantly less school, and they reported an improved ability to concentrate in school, higher confidence levels and increased participation in a range of activities despite menstruating".  Teachers, classmates, especially males will make comments to a girl who is menstruating causing shame and fear.  Making the matter worse, girls often do not have sanitary napkins available and if the onset of a period happens in class she will no be able to do anything about it.  This is an upsetting situation to me. Girls should never feel ashamed about something that is so natural and a sign of good health. Teachers and adults should know that this is a normal human bodily function and should never single someone out about their period. Raising awareness and availability of sanitary napkins in these areas should easily fix the issue of women missing school or work and being victims of shaming.



http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-698X/11/7
3/2/12