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She Is Not Impure: Decoding Menstruation Taboos Around the World

 Decoding Impure Taboo around the world- 
She is not Impure


Sachin Pandey

 

In many parts of the world, menstruation is still treated as a taboo, cloaked in shame, silence, and exclusion. In some Indian villages, menstruating girls are forced to live on the outskirts of town. Shockingly, food touched by menstruating women is not even considered fit for animals, let alone shared with family.

Menstruation: A Natural Process Seen as Impurity

Although menstruation is a biological blessing, it has been distorted into a cultural curse by various communities, religions, and patriarchal systems. Deep-rooted shame, stigma, and misogyny have led to the alienation of women during their periods, making them feel impure, inferior, and isolated.

Many religious practices reinforce this belief:

  • In Judaism, menstruating women are considered "impure" and must avoid physical contact with their spouses. After the cycle, they must wait 7 days and immerse in a ritual bath (Mikvah) to be deemed pure again.

  • In Islam and Hinduism, women are often restricted from entering places of worship, cooking, or participating in religious activities during their periods.

  • In Japan, women are discouraged from becoming sushi chefs due to the myth that menstruation disrupts their body’s "balance," affecting food preparation.

Chhaupadi: Nepal’s Outlawed but Practiced Menstruation Exile

In western Nepal, the Chhaupadi tradition forces women and girls to live in makeshift huts during their period. Often located at the edge of the village, these sheds are unhygienic and unsafe — leading to respiratory issues, snake bites, wild animal attacks, and even rape. Many of these girls are as young as 11 or 12 — left alone when they need support the most.

Although Chhaupadi was criminalized in Nepal, the practice continues in rural areas due to cultural pressure and lack of awareness.

Global Taboos Around Menstruation

Across countries like Indonesia, Nigeria, and India, menstruation is seen as a period of impurity. In India, menstruating women are often banned from entering kitchens, touching plants, or participating in religious ceremonies. These restrictions are particularly hypocritical in a country that worships the feminine form as divine during festivals like Navratri.

In Israel and Afghanistan, myths discourage women from washing their vaginal region during menstruation, fearing infertility. In many places, even disposal of menstrual cloths is tied to myths about virginity and shame.

Sacred Menstruation: Global Cultures That Celebrate It

Thankfully, not all cultures stigmatize menstruation. Some honor it as sacred:

  • The Dagara tribe (West Africa) believes menstruating women have healing powers.

  • Aboriginal Australians hold ceremonies where women bathe and paint their faces to celebrate womanhood.

  • Cherokee Nation (U.S.) views menstruation as a symbol of sacred feminine power.

  • In India, the state of Odisha celebrates Raja Prabha, a 4-day festival marking the onset of menstruation and fertility. In the southern states, families host grand ceremonies for a girl's first period, gifting clothes, sweets, and celebrating her entry into womanhood.

However, even in these celebrations, contradictions exist. Some girls recall being treated like a spectacle, with leftover food still considered impure — highlighting the cultural duality of reverence and rejection.

The Cost of Menstruation Stigma

The psychological and emotional impact of menstruation exclusion is profound. Imagine a 12-year-old girl, orphaned or unsupported, left alone in a cow shed on the outskirts of her village. This is not just tradition — it’s misogyny masquerading as ritual.

Menstruation stigma affects:

  • Education: Girls miss school due to lack of hygiene and shame.

  • Health: Poor menstrual hygiene can cause infections and reproductive issues.

  • Mental well-being: Shame and isolation can lead to anxiety and depression.

Breaking the Taboo, Creating Change

It’s time we normalize menstruation as the natural, powerful process it is. Education, awareness, and open conversations are key. Schools, parents, media, and community leaders must come together to dismantle outdated beliefs and create safe, inclusive environments for menstruating women and girls.


Final Thoughts

Menstruation is not a curse. It’s not impure. It’s not shameful.

It’s life-giving, natural, and powerful.

Until society begins to honor menstruation as a source of strength rather than impurity, we will continue to fail our daughters. From the sheds of Nepal to the temples of India, the revolution starts with our voices — loud, unapologetic, and informed.

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