In the early days of humanity, menstruation was a natural part of evolution. Perhaps this was due to the fact that early humans had periods much less frequently due to their lower life expectancy and the breastfeeding phase after each child. However, with further development and the emergence of faith, this changed fundamentally.
Why attitudes towards women’s periods have developed so differently can only be guessed at.
How different peoples deal with menstruation
Almost every culture has developed its own rituals related to menstruation over the centuries.
Especially in Africa and Asia, there are communities that exclude women from community life during their periods and sometimes even banish them from the village.
In other parts of Asia, such as Taiwan, menstruating women are even entitled to time off work.
In many cultures, men are forbidden to see women's blood. For this reason, women must hide themselves for purification during menstruation. They are considered impure and repulsive.
Rituals among the Indians in America
The Arapesh, a population group in Papua New Guinea, celebrate the onset of the first menstrual period. The transformation from girl to woman is traditionally accompanied by numerous rituals.
In some tribes in America, menarche is seen as a spiritual development of women. Traditionally, the mother hosts a celebration during which she symbolically presents her daughter with a ring with a red stone.
Japan and the belief in the sacredness of female blood
In Japan, too, the first menstrual period of young girls has a very special significance. In her honor, the festive meal O-Sekihan, a red-colored rice, is cooked. The growing young woman is honored and given rich gifts.
Before Buddhism became a popular belief, many Japanese believed that girls were blessed with special powers during menarche and could heal the sick. For this reason, they were kept for four
The positive association with female bleeding has remained to this day. The transition to womanhood is eagerly awaited and celebrated.
Periods and Islam
In Islamic countries such as Turkey, it is believed that a woman's bleeding is punishment for the sins of Eve. For this reason, a number of prohibitions have been imposed on menstruating women. For example, they are not allowed to enter a mosque or touch the Koran during their period. In some areas, they are even forbidden from praying during this time. The pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca and fasting during Ramadan are also prohibited.
Africa
In many parts of Africa, women are oppressed, which is evident, among other things, in the ritual of circumcision and also in the ostracism during menstruation.
In some areas of Ghana, men are forbidden from having contact with menstruating women. The women are not allowed to go to school, cook or do housework.
Since cows are sacred animals in Africa, bleeding women are not allowed to touch them. They are even forbidden from consuming dairy products.
Menstruation huts
Another inhumane practice is the accommodation of menstruating women in so-called menstruation huts. Especially in rural areas of India, Nepal and Venezuela, this is still common despite an official ban by the government.
Women and girls who have their period are usually housed outside the village community in stables or wooden sheds. Without heating and protection from wild animals or violent men, these women are exposed to great dangers that often end in death.
Poor hygiene is a major problem
The difficulty of accessing conventional menstrual hygiene products in many developing countries is also a major problem.
Many girls in Africa therefore have to make a makeshift solution by collecting and drying cow dung. This is wrapped in old pieces of cloth and clamped between the legs while the bleeding occurs.
Special goatskin skirts that catch the blood and simple holes in the ground over which the women squat and let the blood flow are also rather uncomfortable and, above all, unhygienic measures.
Education provides relief
The taboo surrounding menstruation prevents people from dealing with their monthly bleeding naturally and creates insecurity.
Due to a lack of education, girls in many parts of the world believe that menstruation is an illness. They are not prepared for it and do not know what is happening to them when their first period begins. They are also ostracized, excluded and labelled as dirty.
Openly dealing with and discussing the issue in the family environment, at school and in social institutions can help to remove the stigma and finally accept menstruation for what it is. A natural and necessary process in the female body to give new life the opportunity to develop.
Menstrual leave
However, there are not only negative examples; more and more governments and especially entrepreneurs are taking a positive view of menstruation.
In some Asian countries, menstruating women are even granted special leave or sick leave.
In Indonesia, Taiwan and South Korea, women can have up to three
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