Every once in a while, something occurs to remind us how much further we really have to go as a society. We cling to old ideas of what is respectable and meant for public consumption, without ever really thinking about the significant harm that these beliefs cause. Recently, a male Minister was criticized for handing over menstrual hygiene products to young girls. The narrative was that it was inappropriate for a male figure to hand over these products to them so publicly. There are several things to consider here about the impact of these beliefs.
Despite the normal occurrence of bleeding, many are from young taught that it is something to be ashamed of. Their periods are framed as being akin to some deep dark secret that one must go to considerable lengths to keep under wraps, despite everyone being in on it. This is present at every level and seen in things such as how far to the back period products usually are, and how cashiers might often double wrap them to avoid others knowing what you had purchased. Girls are scolded about leaving menstrual products out in the open and leaving any clues that they might be on their period. To have a leak is often so stigmatized that one would think it’s criminal. These things contribute to major anxiety every month on top of the hormonal changes, pain and expenses usually brought on by periods.
Given that the onset of the menstrual cycle equips the body with the power to get pregnant and carry a foetus to term, a first period also usually marks the end of childhood for many girls. They almost instantly become sexualized and normal childish behaviour becomes seen as being “grown.” Many young girls have stories of the environment significantly shifting around them after their first period, with the initial conversation not necessarily being on the normalcy of the bodily function, but rather on the fact that they should stay away from boys and to do otherwise would result in them getting pregnant. The details of how they will become pregnant is usually not discussed, they just learn early to correlate having your period as being at risk of getting pregnant.
For many though, having information about periods, what they entail and how to properly care for yourself during them is often a privilege that they do not have. Often, persons who bleed are not even taught about their periods until it is right upon them. Imagine the horror of a young child not knowing why they are suddenly bleeding because it is not seen as “polite” conversation?
This focus on secrecy and shame stems out of religious patriarchal beliefs that those who bleed are unclean. In some cultures, young girls and women who are menstruating would be isolated from the rest of the household, as they are considered impure during that period. They are not allowed to go to school, not allowed to go to their places of worship and not allowed to participate in regular family and social activities.
This has contributed towards a lot of myths such as, if a young girl climbs a fruit tree while on their period, the tree will stop bearing, or if a woman has sex on her period, she will bring bad luck to all parties involved. Those on their periods are treated like pariahs and are often likened to being vessels of ill will, resulting in periods remaining heavily stigmatized. This stigma and the isolation of women during their period is very present in Guyana. Added to that, menstrual products have a very high tax markup, as instead of being seen as a necessity, it is branded as a “luxury product.” There is nothing luxurious about being on one’s period and being unable to afford supplies for it. Due to this, many poor and working class women and girls are unable to access menstrual products, as they often have to make a choice between that and purchasing other necessities such as food, or paying for light and water. This is the reality that many face not only in rural and Indigenous communities, but in urban areas as well.
We have a long way to go in overcoming period stigma and poverty, but some small ways to begin is to stop viewing those who bleed as being unclean. Openly having discussions about periods, their impacts and the type of support that is needed will go a long way in demystifying it. While there have been attempts at addressing period poverty through initiatives such as the First Lady’s Menstrual Hygiene programme, something that will have a much larger impact is the removal of the tax from period products. This will ensure that more persons are able to afford menstrual products and will also contribute towards the larger conversation of the impacts of period stigma and poverty on Guyanese women and girls.
