Menstrual Absenteeism: Study Sheds Light on South Asia’s Silent Struggle
30 JAN 2025
A recent study highlights that nearly 20% of women and girls in South Asia refrain from daily activities during menstruation, with teenage girls being the most affected.
A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health journal has found that nearly 20 percent of women and girls in South Asia refrain from participating in their regular daily activities while menstruating. The research highlights that menstrual-related absenteeism remains a significant issue, affecting adolescent girls the most.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Melbourne, Australia, analyzed survey data collected between 2017 and 2023 from households across 44 countries. The analysis included over 673,300 women and girls aged 15-49 years.
Key Findings
The study revealed that overall, 15 percent of women and girls in low- and middle-income countries abstain from daily tasks due to menstruation. Among various regions, South Asia reported the highest prevalence, followed by West and Central Africa, where 18.5 percent of women and girls experienced menstruation-related absence.
Teenage girls aged 15-19 were the most affected demographic, with over 17 percent reporting that they refrained from participating in regular activities during their periods. However, the study found that household wealth or access to menstrual products, such as sanitary pads or tampons, did not have a significant impact on absenteeism.
Factors Influencing Menstrual-Related Absenteeism
The researchers discovered that having a private place to wash at home was associated with a higher prevalence of menstrual-related absence. This suggests that women and girls may prefer to remain at home during their periods if they have access to better menstrual hygiene facilities there compared to public spaces.
Another key finding of the study was that the use of contraceptives, particularly hormonal methods, reduced menstrual-related absences. This indicates that symptoms such as heavy bleeding and pain may be contributing factors to women avoiding daily tasks during menstruation.
Broader Implications
The study’s findings provide crucial evidence for future menstrual health research and public health interventions. The researchers emphasized that missing daily activities due to menstruation can affect a woman's quality of life and contribute to gender inequalities. They called for further research to better understand the reasons behind menstruation-related absenteeism and for concrete action to improve the lives of menstruating women worldwide.
With menstruation still being a stigmatized topic in many societies, addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach, including better access to menstrual hygiene facilities, awareness programs, and healthcare interventions. By focusing on these aspects, policymakers and organizations can work towards ensuring that menstruation does not become an obstacle to women's daily lives and opportunities.
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