Approximately 800 million women experience menstruation or period as a natural process on a daily basis. However, in Afghanistan, menstruation is considered taboo due to the censorship of the female body, prevailing patriarchal views, and incorrect societal norms. The associated shame has made discussing menstruation shameful and disrespectful. For some women, it is embarrassing, while for many men, it remains puzzling. Sociologists assert that a society’s culture can influence the physiological processes of the human body. In patriarchal societies, women’s bodies are subject to censorship, and discussing the female body and its functions is deemed “shameful” in society. This social stigma compels individuals to conceal menstruation. Consequently, this taboo negatively impacts the mental health, overall well-being, and welfare of women in Afghanistan.
The way girls respond to menstruation is strongly influenced by their upbringing and societal attitudes, shaping their perception of their bodies. However, in Afghanistan, the educational aspect, which plays a crucial role in raising awareness about menstruation, is largely neglected. Families do not prioritize this matter, the education system lacks a comprehensive awareness program, and the government has not taken any steps to address the health and requirements of women during this period.
For most girls in Afghanistan, their first experience with menstruation has been described as “strange,” “terrifying,” and accompanied by a sense of “shame.” After reaching puberty, girls lack a proper understanding of the changes happening in their bodies, leading to fear and confusion. Raihan Hussain, a sociology graduate, shares her own experience, stating, “I was almost 12 when I had my first period. The day before, while climbing an ice hill, I had a hard fall. The next day, I noticed blood on my pants. Instead of explaining menstruation to me, my mother questioned me about what I did and why it happened. I didn’t understand anything and could only recall the incident from the day before when I fell on the ice hill. I thought it was the cause. I told my mother, and she silently handed me shorts and a piece of cloth.” After a few days, Raihan attributed the bleeding to the fall on the ice hill, but the following month, she experienced her period again. This time, she kept it a secret and wore thick, black pants. Raihan recalls, “I was very thin at that time, and my flow was light. I couldn’t talk to my mother. I didn’t understand menstruation. I felt like I was pregnant.” A year later, when her bleeding became heavier, Raihan confronted her fears and confided in her mother. Her mother dismissed Raihan’s year-long fear and taught her how to perform ablution. Raihan, who has several younger sisters, has shared information about menstruation with them during their adolescence to prevent them from experiencing the same fear. Reflecting on the past, Raihan adds, “It was very distressing. Girls back then had no understanding of menstruation. I was extremely scared.” Fortunately, the situation has improved now, and girls can access information about menstruation through the media.
Golchehra, a 26-year-old girl, vividly remembers her first menstruation experience at school. She recounts, “I was in class when I started feeling warmth between my legs. Despite that, I hesitated to ask for permission to leave. I felt immobilized, staying in my seat. I didn’t confide in anyone and pretended to be engrossed in my reading and writing until the school day ended.” When the dismissal bell rang, Golchehra, filled with apprehension and afraid of any stains on her clothes or her white socks turning red, discreetly distanced herself from her friends and cautiously made her way home along less crowded paths.
Shamsia, a 17-year-old girl, recounts her initial encounter with menstruation, saying, “When I first saw blood, I became frightened. I thought something was amiss with me. I retreated to a corner in the washroom and wept before attending to myself. I was unaware of what had occurred and hesitant to confide in my mother.” She further expresses that even during her subsequent menstrual cycles, fear persisted.
Nargis (pseudonym) also encountered her initial menstrual period while delivering a lesson at school. Recounting the experience, she states, “I was trembling, frozen in place. I informed the teacher that I needed to use the restroom, but she insisted I complete the lesson. Once the lesson concluded, I made my way to the bathroom, where I found other girls. Slowly, I approached the schoolyard and adjusted my socks to serve as makeshift pads.” Since that time, Nargis has abstained from using sanitary pads. During the early years of menstruation, she resorted to using worn-out clothes, and currently, she relies on pieces of cloth.
Puberty can be a terrifying and anxiety-inducing experience for many girls due to their lack of awareness about adolescence and the bodily changes that occur. As a result, they feel scared, and ashamed, and lose self-confidence during their early teenage years. Fariba (pseudonym), who has four older sisters, shares her perspective, saying, “I used to hear my sisters talking about how a girl becomes a young woman and eventually gets married.” Until the age of 13, Fariba used to play with both boys and girls. Reflecting on that time, Fariba explains, “Before I started menstruating, I had nightmares and found it difficult to move forward. I would ask my father to take me to the doctor. My sisters would argue with me, telling me not to tell our father and insisting that I understand what would happen next (getting married). However, they never clearly explained anything to me until I saw the blood.” They had defined menstruation as something that happens when a girl goes to her husband’s house. After starting her period, Fariba stopped playing. Despite having older sisters, they never had the courage to openly discuss menstruation with her. She adds, “The first time, my sisters teased me without providing clear explanations. I didn’t dare tell them; I felt ashamed. I didn’t even know what to use to manage the bleeding. The only thing I knew was to quickly change my pants.”
How do families view and restrict the behavior of girls during menstruation?
During menstruation, girls face various behavioral restrictions that impose limitations on their activities. They are forbidden from entering sacred places, and the shame associated with discussing menstruation forces them to conceal it. In certain families, girls are compelled to falsely observe fasting and engage in symbolic prayer even when they are not fasting. Saadiya (pseudonym), a 24-year-old girl from a nine-member family, reveals that she had her first period at the age of 12, and to this day, nobody in her family is aware of it. Saadiya pretends to fast during Ramadan while menstruating. She explains, “Sometimes, I pretend to perform ablution and stand for prayer.” Saadiya lives in a religious family where her three brothers are Quran reciters and occasional Quranic recitations are held at home. She adds, “Twice, I coincided with menstruation during the Quran recitation. I informed my father that I couldn’t participate, but he did not accept my explanation. I made up an excuse about having a headache, which he reluctantly accepted. However, the second time, no matter what excuse I provided, he refused to believe me and accused me of avoiding the Quran. I was compelled to perform a symbolic Quranic recitation in front of them.”
Families hold varying attitudes towards this matter. While some mothers pay attention to it, others remain indifferent. Shamila (pseudonym), a middle-aged woman and mother of four daughters, shares that when her three daughters started menstruating, she didn’t even notice it initially, and when she did, she pretended to be oblivious. Only upon discovering the truth did she feign ignorance. She views menstruation as embarrassing and believes it should be concealed. However, her youngest daughter, who recently reached adolescence, consistently requests her mother to buy sanitary pads. Shamila refers to her youngest daughter as “impudent” and remarks, “The girls of this era have lost their sense of shame.”
Some mothers take the initiative to educate their daughters about menstruation as they enter adolescence. Farishta, a 38-year-old woman, shares her experience, stating, “When my daughter turned 12, I noticed her gradual transition into maturity. I had a conversation with her about menstruation, and when she had her first period, she informed me. I congratulated her and acknowledged her passage into womanhood.” According to Farishta, it is essential for mothers to have open and honest discussions with their daughters to alleviate fear and anxiety surrounding this topic.
Men’s behavior toward women during menstruation
Despite the underlying curiosity about menstruation in society, many men find it puzzling due to their lack of knowledge and incomplete or incorrect information about periods. The prevailing discourse in society makes them feel ashamed to discuss the topic openly. Similarly, unmarried women also feel embarrassed and hide their menstrual cycle from their brothers and fathers. After marriage, this situation becomes even more challenging for them. Women often face a lack of understanding from their husbands during menstruation and may even experience harsh treatment. Some women report that their husbands insist on sexual intercourse during their menstrual periods.
In certain segments of society, it is customary for people to refrain from eating food prepared by a menstruating woman. Zubaida Khanum, a resident of a remote village, shares her experience, saying, “When I was single, I used to cook, and no one would tell me not to cook during my menstruation period. However, after getting married, my mother-in-law instructed me to avoid cooking when I am ‘impure’ because men wouldn’t eat it.” This incident has left a bitter and painful impression on her. Even now, she refrains from cooking during her menstrual cycle and feels ashamed that everyone is aware of her condition. She tries to limit her interactions with men during this time, feeling embarrassed.
In Afghanistan, menstruation is a topic considered impolite for women to discuss. It is seen as a sensitive matter that women themselves feel ashamed to bring up, and men, on the other hand, may not be inclined to discuss it or have much knowledge about it. Despite these barriers, this report made efforts to talk to certain men (specifically fathers with daughters) about menstruation. Among the five individuals approached, only one agreed to discuss it anonymously. He is not ashamed of menstruation and, as a father of three daughters, he buys sanitary pads for all of them. He shares, “My wife has never explicitly informed me when she is menstruating, but she indirectly communicates it to me. I have a close relationship with my daughters at home, and as they grew up, I wanted to create an environment where they wouldn’t feel ashamed. Although they don’t explicitly mention it, I understand.”
Menstrual hygiene
Many people in Afghanistan overlook and misunderstand the importance of menstrual hygiene. Women often lack knowledge about menstruation and proper hygiene practices, resulting in misconceptions regarding the care and management of this natural process. The use of sanitary pads and tampons is crucial for women, but accessing these supplies can be difficult or even impossible for many. In Afghanistan, the challenges surrounding menstrual hygiene are compounded by a lack of awareness and understanding about the use of sanitary pads. Women hold widespread misconceptions, such as avoiding bathing, refraining from using sanitary pads, and even restricting their water intake during menstruation. There is a prevalent belief that bathing during this time can cause infertility and that using sanitary pads is prohibited.
Rabia (pseudonym), an elderly woman, advises her daughters and granddaughters about menstruation. She prohibits them from bathing or using commercially available products during their menstruation period. Rabia, currently residing in a remote village, holds the belief that using sanitary pads is unacceptable. Her granddaughters faithfully adhere to all of their grandmother’s instructions.
The stigma surrounding menstruation has turned menstrual products into a taboo in society. Girls discreetly purchase sanitary pads, feeling embarrassed and ashamed in the process. They often prefer someone else to buy pads on their behalf. Naqiba, currently experiencing her fourth menstrual cycle, shares, “The first time, I used an old piece of clothing, and then I asked my mother to buy sanitary pads for me.” However, Naqiba faced difficulties whenever she attempted to buy pads herself. She recalls, “Once, I went to a store to purchase sanitary pads, but there was no shopkeeper, and when I found one, I couldn’t gather the courage to ask about the price.” The presence of other men and women in the store also deterred Naqiba from buying sanitary pads. Ultimately, she had to rely on her mother to make the purchase for her.
Shame factors and psychological issues resulting from Ignorance about menstruation
Why is there shame, secrecy, and embarrassment surrounding the physiological transformation of menstruation? Logically, there is no inherent impropriety or disrespect in discussing the timing and issues related to menstruation. So, why does this topic remain highly taboo in Afghanistan? Sociologists suggest that various social factors, including cultural and religious norms, play a role in shaping this situation. They argue that society’s perception of women as “internalized” beings who must always remain covered, combined with the taboo around women’s self-expression and their bodies, has extended to issues concerning women’s bodies as well.
Abu Muslim Khorasani, a sociologist and researcher at Leipzig University in Germany, explained to the Hasht-e Subh Daily that the prevailing discourse in Afghanistan creates an environment of ambiguity and secrecy around women and their issues, making it difficult for anyone to openly discuss them. According to Mr. Khorasani, the taboo surrounding menstruation is a consequence of social factors, including cultural values and religious beliefs, which have impeded conversations about women’s issues.
The sociologist further explains, “In our religious and highly traditional society, women are defined as enigmatic beings, associated with secrecy and seen as sources of impurity, sin, and deviation. As a result, women’s issues and their very existence are shrouded in concealment, sanctity, and taboos.” According to him, societal norms compel women to hide their bodies and refrain from open discussions. Our society has constructed a perception where women are expected to maintain ambiguity, and this outlook has contributed to the concealment of menstruation.
Abu Muslim Khorasani further elaborates, “Religious beliefs and social norms are utilized to control women and maintain a sense of sanctity, shame, and taboo through concealment. Preserving these aspects serves the interests of religious norms, which significantly shape our social norms, whether individuals are religious or influenced by religion.”
The act of shaming and neglecting menstruation, regardless of its causes, cannot be hidden or ignored. Rather than avoiding conversations about puberty and menstruation, it is important for both women and men to foster an environment where these topics can be openly discussed. Girls’ understanding of menstruation and the bodily changes that occur during puberty holds significant value, as they navigate a critical phase in shaping their social identity. Lack of knowledge or misinformation can result in psychological harm. Psychologists emphasize that the proper handling of girls’ puberty stage is crucial, as it can have long-lasting negative effects throughout their lives.
In a discussion with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, psychologist Madina Qaate Musadiq highlights that in Afghanistan, families often lack a proper understanding of menstruation and perceive it as a shameful topic. She emphasizes that families fail to view the puberty period as a natural phase that warrants a natural response. According to her, one consequence of this ignorance is fear. The hormonal changes during menstruation can sometimes lead to depression, but what exacerbates the situation is the terrifying first experience of menstruation that lingers in girls’ minds, causing long-term depression and isolation. Musadiq further emphasizes that suppressing girls during menstruation has detrimental effects on their mental well-being. Instructions like “don’t tell anyone” Or “don’t let men know” instill a lifetime of fear, leading girls to perpetually hide their menstrual periods.
Ms. Musadiq emphasizes the need for families to gain awareness and provide proper care for their daughters during adolescence. She advises families to acknowledge the first experience of menstruation, congratulates their daughters, and reassures them that it is a sign of health and normalcy.
Dr. Haseebullah Shukran, speaking to Hasht-e Subh Daily, emphasizes the importance of proper care and hygiene during menstruation for women’s health. He strongly recommends the use of tampons and sanitary pads due to their hygienic nature. It is important to note that sanitary pads should be changed every three hours. Dr. Shukran advises taking a daily shower and cleansing the vagina with warm water to keep it dry and clean. Additionally, he suggests maintaining a proper diet during menstruation, including foods that boost blood and avoiding heavy exercise.
Menstruation affects many women, but the shame it carries jeopardizes women’s health and society. Today, on May 28, we observe Menstrual Hygiene Day to emphasize the significance of women’s health during this time and promote awareness about menstruation while debunking misconceptions. Regrettably, Afghanistan faces not only a lack of knowledge about menstruation but also economic challenges that hinder proper care and access to sanitary pads due to widespread poverty among women. Furthermore, Afghanistan lacks a functioning government or organization dedicated to prioritizing citizen well-being and conducting public awareness campaigns on this issue.