Communities of Women and the Inter-Generational Exchange of Menstrual Knowledge: Reflections from Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

The global upsurge of menstrual research over the past two decades has emphasised the importance of access to accurate and empowering menstrual education along with the destigmatisation of menstruation and the communication thereof. Within this, the role of adult women in families has been especially lauded as essential for preparing adolescents for menarche. Indeed, in many contexts, adult women, including mothers, grandmothers, sisters and aunts are formally and informally vested with the role of educating adolescents about menstruation, guiding their adaptation to related physical and psychosocial developments and facilitating religious and/or cultural rites of passage initiated by menarche. Despite their seminal role in educating adolescents about menstruation and sustaining the sociocultural beliefs and standards of menstrual etiquette held in various contexts, little remains known about the experiences of adult women as recipients and facilitators of these intergenerational exchanges. This paper makes use of storytelling as a methodology for facilitating the reflections of adult women on the intergenerational exchange of menstrual knowledge. From qualitative research conducted with 20 adult women living in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the paper identifies communities of women into which adolescents are inducted at menarche. Within these communities, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and neighbors socialize adolescents through teachings on menstrual management and the transfer of socio-cultural menstrual beliefs and practices. Data collected also details the somewhat contradictory space occupied by adolescents within these communities wherein their menstrual experiences are simultaneously affirmed as normal but also stigmatized as needing careful surveillance and concealment. This contradictory existence is further exemplified by one’s belonging to a community of women who experience menstruation but having to do so in silence and isolation. As such, the paper details the complexities and recurring patterns of menstrual stigma and silencing that are acquired during adolescence and fortified through the lifespan into adulthood.