Is the menstrual cup filled with capabilities? : A qualitative case study of a menstrual hygiene program in the North West province of South Africa with focus on female students.

Abstract: School attendance is an important part of socio-economic development. In South Africa school girls miss 25% of their education due to menstrual related issues. The menstrual cup is increasingly considered as a sustainable menstrual hygiene product for girls, and is included in programs for improving menstrual health. This study deals with menstruation in school environments focusing on a menstrual cup program in the North West province of South Africa. Twenty school girls have been interviewed about their thoughts and feelings of menstruation. Also investigated is how the menstrual cup relates to girls’ capabilities to attend school and what obstacles there are for girls’ school attendance. An intersectional phenomenological approach is used together with theories of stigmatization, capabilities and sexualization. The menstrual cup is shown as a way of avoiding the stigma as female students are teased about their menstruation when leaking due to insufficient menstrual hygiene products. Even though menstruation is considered normal, it should kept a secret, especially from boys. Girls’ capabilities improved as they were using the menstrual cup because they did not have to face the embarrassment of leakage. Economic capabilities are enhanced as the menstrual cup is distributed free of charge. Stigmatization and sexualization of menstruation and the female body is presented to affect how girls feel about their menstruation. Concludingly, the cup is not reducing the stigma but reducing the encountering of it. Social change regarding sexualization of women and stigmatization of female attributes must be done for the girls to have full human capabilities.