Episode 2: Young Africa Flow Feebles with Elena Paolini

We Can Make a Difference

In this episode, I interview Elena Paolini. Elena shares her personal journey dealing with the stigma associated with menstruation and the physical and mental challenges that ensued. She also shares the field research on attitudes towards menstruation that she conducted in Nigeria. Eliana discusses the taboo in Africa against talking about menstruation, the discrimination that girls face during their menstruation cycle, and the restrictions placed on them such as not being allowed to enter sacred spaces, cook for family, needing to dress in a certain way that affects their daily life. She also shares supersitions associated with menstruation and how menstrual blood is used for black magic that leads to fear and anxiety among young girls. Finally, she shares strategies to normalize menstruation that takes into account the social and cultural norms and attitudes in Africa.