Empowering adolescents; integrating menstrual health education into school curricula

By Mahipal Singh

‘Menstruation’ is one such word that has been often subjected to taboos, disbeliefs and prohibitions, portraying it as a disease more than a natural process. The cultural perception of menstruation as a silent illness or a curse contributes to a lack of open dialogue concerning the topic. This historical thinking has created a significant amount of unease, which has fueled resistance to including menstrual education in formal didactics.

The resistance to open discussions concerning menstruation in schools is denying girls adequate assistance and menstruation-related facilities while propelling boys to think of it as a hidden secret. Over one in three boys (37%) believe that periods should be kept secret, according to a Plan International study. Eradicating the stigma associated with menstruation necessitates including period education in school curricula. This, in turn, will not only create awareness concerning the menstruation process but also support its recognition as a basic human right.

Integrating menstrual health education into school curriculum: Need of the hour

Reducing absenteeism: Imagine a rural village girl who, at the onset of her regular cycle or her first period, decides to skip school and stay in a distant place away from home to avoid social disgrace and disdain. This is not a hypothetical scenario but a harsh reality millions of girls face today. 2.3 crore girls in India drop out of school when their periods start, and 71% of teenage girls in the country are ignorant of menstruation until they experience their first period, according to UNESCO. Battling this absenteeism and rescuing girls from the pit of shame and embarrassment associated with periods calls for integrating menstrual education into the school curriculum. This will not only break down cultural and social barriers but will also instill a sense of sensuality around menstrual health.

Debunking myths: Various myths and misbeliefs concerning menstruation continue to persist in our society. In addition to these myths, menstruation is often linked to a number of other terms and phrases, including filthy, unclean, silent disease, and hidden secret. Menstruating girls are frequently subjected to limitations, such as not touching sacred books, offering prayers, or visiting the kitchen during their period, according to NCBI. 

The traditional perceptions of menstruation as a source of impurity serves as the fundamental inspiration behind these myths. This emphasizes how important it is for educational institutions to include menstrual guidance. Armed with crucial information concerning menstruation will not only contribute to a better understanding but also eliminate the widespread stigma that comes with it. Busting these misconceptions will enable individuals to better support one another, which will reduce the stigma and isolation that are frequently connected to menstruation.

Promoting women hygiene: The thought of menstruation as an impure phenomenon often causes women to sacrifice their menstrual hygiene. As a result, they either choose to skip hygiene products and go for unsafe substitutes, which poorly impacts their health. Due to a lack of access to sanitary pads and bathrooms, 23% of girls drop out of school, according to NCBI. This is where menstrual education plays a crucial role. Knowing the physiological characteristics of menstruation enables individuals to make informed decisions about menstrual hygiene products, lowering the risk of infections and other health concerns. This understanding is especially important in areas where access to menstrual products and sanitation facilities is restricted.

Breaking the cycle of shame!

While society is moving towards a progressive direction marked by advancements and innovations, menstrual health continues to be a matter of concern. Impure, disgusting, and dirty, amongst others are some of the derogatory adjectives commonly associated with menstruation, causing women to suffer in silence. According to a Plan International report, people aged 16 to 25 typically associate periods with adjectives like ‘dirty’ (55%), ’embarrassing’ (31%), and ‘disgusting’ (38%).

This is where the need for menstrual health education cannot be overstated. It is a revolutionary step towards building an informed, compassionate, and taboo-free society. Putting menstrual health as a top priority is essential to acknowledging it as a basic component of human biology worthy of knowledge, acceptance, and open discussion. As we move towards an informed and educated society, incorporating menstrual health education into school curricula is a vital move towards debunking myths and misbeliefs concerning menstruation and promoting an inclusive environment.

The author is founder and CEO of Revaa. Views are personal.