'Breaking the silence around menstruation': experiences of adolescent girls in an urban setting in India

Rajagopal, Shobita; Mathur, Kanchan

Author(s)

Rajagopal, Shobita
Mathur, Kanchan

Editor(s)

Sweetman, Caroline

Publication date

2017-07-13

Document type

Journal article

Language

English

Description

The onset of menstruation is one of the important changes that occur in the lives of adolescent girls. It brings many challenges with it. Menstruation is often dealt with in secrecy in many cultures and communities. In India, restrictions are placed on women and girls during menstruation, and the tradition of excluding menstruating women and girls from various activities continues. Adolescent girls also suffer from myriad health problems associated with menstruation. Many lack the facilities and resources they need for menstrual hygiene. This article draws on research into the experiences and challenges faced by adolescent girls in managing menstruation at school and home in the slums of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The article analyses the role and impact of government-led policy and interventions. It argues that the continued silence around menstruation needs to be broken: not only by addressing the practical issues of menstrual management, but also by creating a supportive environment for empowering girls with information about their bodies, and destigmatising the issue of menstruation. The article also draws lessons for policy advocacy. This article is hosted by our co-publisher Taylor & Francis. For the full table of contents for this and previous issues of this journal, please visit the <a href="http://www.genderanddevelopment.org">Gender and Development</a> website.

ISSN

1355-2074

EISSN

1364-9221

Collections

Journal articles