The Suits actress, humanitarian, and now girlfriend of the most eligible bachelor, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle has been active in using her voice to challenge social issues around the world. Since her relationship with Prince Harry became public interest late last year, she has shown she is not afraid to speak out about injustices, namely condemning the media and ‘online trolls’ for subjecting her to racial abuse.
Now, for International Women’s Day, Meghan has spoken out about the stigma surrounding menstruation, particularly in impoverished countries such as India, where the girls are shamed for starting their periods. Published in Time magazine (and also on her blog, The Tig), the actress points out how the stigmatisation of young girls in Africa, India, Iran and several other countries, curtails their freedoms and the right to access an education.
‘Based on societal ignominy in the developing world, shame surrounding menstruation and its direct barrier to girls education remains a hushed conversation,’ she said.
‘One hundred and thirteen million adolescent girls between the ages of 12-14 in India alone are at risk of dropping out of school because of the stigma surrounding menstrual health. During my time in the field, many girls shared that they feel embarrassed to go to school during their periods. Ill equipped with rags instead of pads, unable to participate in sports, and without bathrooms available to care for themselves, they often opt to drop out of school entirely.
‘Furthermore, with minimal dialogue about menstrual health hygiene either at school or home due to the taboo nature of the subject, many girls believe their bodies are purging evil spirits, or that they are injured once a month; this is a shame-filled reality they quietly endure.'
She pointed out the shocking reality that, 'when a girl misses school because of her period, cumulatively that puts her behind her male classmates by 145 days.'
‘As a female in India, the challenge of survival begins at birth, first overcoming female feticide, then being victim to malnourishment, potential abuse, and lack of access to proper sanitation facilities,' she contined. 'Why, if she is able to overcome all of these challenges and finally get to school, should her education and potential to succeed be sacrificed because of shame surrounding her period?'
She concluded by urging there be more of an active conversation around 'the most natural thing in the world' - periods. 'We need to rise above our puritanical bashfulness when it comes to talking about menstruation,' she said.
'Wasted opportunity is unacceptable with stakes this high. To break the cycle of poverty, and to achieve economic growth and sustainability in developing countries, young women need access to education.'
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