Empowering women through Reproductive Rights-Breaking the Stigma

Abstract

Menstruation is a natural process that affects women's physical, emotional, and social health, but it is still a taboo topic and has a significant impact on personal, social, and economic welfare. Menstrual health and reproductive rights are essential for women's empowerment, health, wellbeing, and gender equality, but there is a lack of attention to their integration in programmes, policies, and research. Policies that prioritize menstrual health education, affordable menstrual hygiene products, and comprehensive reproductive healthcare services can create an enabling environment. The perception of menstruation has changed over time, from being a natural bodily function to being viewed as dirty and impure. This shift has been used by society to limit women's mobility.