Bad blood : sociocultural attitudes surrounding menstruation and alternative menstrual products in Morocco

Abstract

This study seeks to gain insight into the sociocultural attitudes surrounding menstruation and alternative menstrual products in educated Moroccan families. This study analyses the existing literature surrounding menstruation, examining the context in which menstruation is lived, and the perceptions around it. The research design took the shape of a qualitative study to obtain a rich, in-depth understanding of the participants’ lived experiences, using participant observation and nine informal, semi-structured interviews as methods of data collection. Findings from this study suggest that the taboos concerning menstruation are prevalent in the society researched. The Islamic religion, secrecy and shame were among the reasons most commonly given for these taboos, although they are lessening their hold, notably among females. This study also suggests that attitudes towards reusable menstrual products among this population are very mixed, showing a divergence of opinion.