Rohingya woman breaks the menstrual taboo through education on menstrual health

“I started menstruating at 11 years old. I remember experiencing stomach cramps. When I went to the toilet, I noticed the blood. I panicked. I didn’t know what was happening to me.

I couldn’t tell anybody because I was too ashamed to talk about my private parts. I couldn’t tell my mother because I didn’t want her to worry. I really didn’t know the cause of my bleeding and was stressed for days.

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and told my mother. She just smiled at me and told me not to worry. She just gave me a sanitary pad to use, and I was too embarrassed to ask her any further questions.

I didn’t know how to use the sanitary pad correctly. It was uncomfortable, sticky, and wouldn’t stay in place. Days later I realized I had been using it the wrong side up.

I have a young daughter who will start menstruating soon. I will speak to her about what to expect. Menstruation is a taboo topic in our community, but my husband and I plan to educate our daughter so that she is comfortable talking about what is happening to her body and asking any questions without feeling ashamed. “

Syaedah is a 25-year-old Rohingya refugee living in Malaysia. She leads the Rohingya Women’s Development Network, a refugee women's empowerment programme. They advocate on various issues related to refugee women's rights, including period poverty.

Menstrual hygiene is a human right. Period.

#MenstrualHygieneDay