While the discourse on menstrual hygiene is gradually gaining momentum and raising awareness, the stigma surrounding periods continues to haunt young girls, according to the findings of a study.
The findings were based on a survey of 1000 girls from ages 14 to 21, and were published by Plan International UK. According to a report in Independent Online,
20 percent of the respondents admitted that they had experienced bullying or teasing over their periods. Among them, only half had ever opened up or shared their experiences with others.
For around 67 percent of them, the bullying usually happened in schools, because of which many even skipped classes.
Chief executive of Plan International UK, Tanya Barron, said that stigma and shame are still unfairly attached with periods, leading to instances of such teasing.
Not only is this damaging girls’ confidence and self-esteem, it’s also having an often overlooked impact on their education. Girls tell us they are missing out on school because of their period and struggling to catch up on schoolwork as a result. We can’t allow this to continue.
The girls reported being called ‘dirty’ and ‘disgusting’, making them uncomfortable and conscious.
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