Religious communities confront menstrual stigma in international webinar

Religious institutions worldwide are confronting their role in perpetuating menstrual stigma while simultaneously emerging as powerful advocates for women's dignity and health equity. The World Council of Churches (WCC) fourth annual Menstrual Hygiene Day webinar on 4 June brought together speakers from multiple continents and faith traditions to examine how patriarchal structures within religious communities have weaponised menstruation for control and marginalisation, whilst demonstrating how scripture, theology, and faith-based action can become tools for justice and liberation.

"Menstruation is not the problem; the stigma associated with it is the problem," said Dr Tejinder Singh Rawal, representing the Sikh faith perspective. "As a man, I say: talking about menstruation is not unmanly; what is unmanly is staying silent in the face of injustice."

The webinar highlighted how over 500 million women worldwide experience period poverty, with faith communities addressing both practical needs and cultural barriers. "Being a disciple of Christ means learning and seeking to embody Christ's ways," said Rev. Alexa Dava, WCC project officer for Human Dignity and Reproductive Health. "Christ treated women with dignity during a time and place when women were viewed as less important than men."

From conflict zones to communities worldwide, speakers shared innovative responses. "We see you, we respect you, you deserve safety and care even in displacement," said Oleksandra Marakhovska from HEKS/EPER Ukraine, describing dignity kit distribution to displaced women.

"Menstrual hygiene is not a men's issue; it's a human issue. We all need to support, show compassion, and fight stigma," emphasized Evans Nyesi, sharing the Intersectional See-Judge-Act model from Kenya.

Rev. Liliana Kasper from the Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa stressed education's importance: "The boy child needs to understand his body—but, more importantly, learn to protect and respect the girl child."

Speakers emphasized that period poverty represents a broader pattern of violence against women and girls. Rev. Nicqi Ashwood, WCC programme executive for the Just Community of Women and Men, challenged participants to recognize these connections. "Remember that economic disadvantage is a form of violence," she said, mentioning how the Thursdays in Black campaign addresses menstrual injustice as part of its mission to end all forms of violence against women, recognizing that denying access to basic menstrual health needs creates vulnerability and perpetuates cycles of discrimination. "Thursdays in Black is for a world without rape or violence—you can be an agent for change,” she concluded.

Just Community of Women and Men page

HIV & AIDS, Reproductive Health and Pandemics

Ecumenical Water Network

Thursdays in Black campaign page