Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Gender Studies and Sexuality
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Cultural Beliefs, Menstrual Management and Interpersonal Relationships: A Case Study of Young Girls in Vocational Training Centres
Arnoux Mouafo Nopi
ABSTRACT:
Long overlooked, the issue of menstrual hygiene management is now receiving international attention, thanks to various intervention, advocacy and research initiatives. It has been found that taboos have an influence on menstrual management and interpersonal relationships. A questionnaire survey carried out among 50 young girls in vocational training centres in Cameroon’s Grassfields in June 2024 revealed that when menarche arrives, young girls are poorly informed about: the type and method of protection to use (42%); how to keep clean (16%); how to manage pain (2%); and activities to avoid during menstruation (5%). Even so, 22% of working women reduced their activities because of the lack of facilities for managing their menstrual hygiene with dignity, without discomfort or fear. In fact, 45% of them received this education from their mother after their first menstrual period, and 19% from a friend. They prefer never to talk about it with men. Furthermore, the advice received (78%) was limited to the use of a sanitary towel. In some ethnic groups, menstruation is forbidden and the right to go to prayer, to the field, to sport and to have sex is abdicated. This jeopardises the freedom of expression that should contribute to equality, gender diversity and equity.
keywords: infrastructures, menarche, taboos, freedom