Harmful Cultural Beliefs, Taboos Affect Girls’ Education in Rumphi District
This isolation not only hinders their education but also bars them from interacting with men, as it is considered taboo.
RUMPHI, MALAWI - Harmful cultural beliefs and taboos are significantly contributing to school dropouts among children in the Phoka region of Rumphi district, writes Meclina Chirwa.
Suzgika, not her real name, a Form One student at Junju Primary School, is one of the affected girls.
The 16-year-old girl has been grappling with the adverse impact of cultural practices related to menstrual hygiene, which she describes as inhumane and detrimental to girls' education in her area.
Suzgika narrates that her life has never been the same since her first period. During menstruation, girls are considered filthy, shameful, and impure, leading them to isolate themselves in the bush or remain locked indoors.
This isolation not only hinders their education but also bars them from interacting with men, as it is considered taboo.
"Right now I am repeating Form 1 because I was not able to attend classes properly. When I am menstruating, I am not allowed to go to school, which heavily affects my education. You will be surprised if you ask around; people will deny this just to protect the mediocrity," Suzgika laments.
Menstrual taboos have persisted throughout history and continue to be embraced in many cultures worldwide. Misconceptions about menstruation have led to the exclusion of women and girls from various roles and settings.
In the Phoka region, these cultural beliefs remain deeply entrenched, with some girls having to wake up as early as 4 AM, running to the river to bathe, and avoiding male encounters during menstruation.
The Chairperson of the women’s forum in the area, Mary Msofi, confirms the existence of these cultural beliefs but notes that they are often promoted secretly.
"When you visit all the surrounding schools, you will find that the girls’ performance is not good at all. Some local organizations, such as Life Concern, have started raising awareness about ending these harmful cultural beliefs," Msofi says.
Group Village Headman Fwira acknowledges the prevalence of these cultural beliefs but emphasizes the need for awareness and change. "These things are still happening and affecting our girls’ education. But we have started raising awareness, and as traditional leaders, it is our wish to end these taboos surrounding menstruation," he says.
Life Concern Organization (LICO) in Rumphi is working to end cultural beliefs surrounding menstrual hygiene management.
Martha Nyasulu, one of LICO's officials, states, "We are equally concerned about what is happening in Phoka, but we have already started awareness campaigns and will continue engaging traditional leaders until we end these practices."
Menstrual hygiene advocate Asayire Kapira emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts to address this situation, which is significantly affecting girls' education, causing some to drop out.
The Chief Environmental Health Officer in the Ministry of Health, Holystone Mawumsamatha Kafandikhale, explains that the Malawian government is implementing various interventions to address harmful cultural practices related to menstrual hygiene management.
"Government is creating awareness among community members so that they understand menstrual hygiene properly. We are doing this through community engagement, especially targeting adolescent girls, who play a crucial role in menstrual hygiene issues," he says.
Despite these challenges, access to menstrual products in Malawi remains a major issue, with disposable pads often being unaffordable.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 55 million girls lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management.
WHO continues to urge countries to improve access to sanitary products, running water, functioning toilets, and privacy, recognizing that menstrual hygiene is a basic human right.