“Ritual Purity” Reimagined: Eco-Friendly Menstrual Practices and Emotional Well-being in Muslim Women

Abstract

This study delves into the intricate interplay between menstrual practices and the use of menstrual products in India, entangled with religious and cultural beliefs categorizing menstruating bodies as “ritually impure.” This study investigates the experiences of Muslim women using reusable menstrual products (RMP). The findings highlight a limited yet impactful group of Muslim women comfortable with RMP usage, indicating heightened emotional well-being and body positivity. Participants emphasized the need to raise awareness among menstruators to adopt ecofriendly alternatives. The study calls for further research to promote RMP usage, emphasizing eco-friendly and sustainable menstrual practices in India.

Keywords:

• Body positivity
• emotional well-being
• menstrual hygiene
• reusable menstrual products (RMPs)
• sexual and reproductive health

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Data Availability Statement

The data underlying this research cannot be shared publicly due to the presence of sensitive and personal information. The data set contains details such as medical histories and participant information that are considered confidential and protected by privacy regulations. Furthermore, participants explicitly denied consent for the sharing of their data beyond the scope of the original research study.

Notes

1 Islamic law, also known as sharia, forms the foundation of the legal and moral framework for Muslims, encompassing principles derived from the Quran and the Hadith. It provides guidance for various aspects of daily life, including prayer, morality, interpersonal relationships, permissible and prohibited activities, commerce, governance, and more. Sharia serves as a comprehensive system of rules and regulations that every Muslim is encouraged to abide by. Islamic menstrual practices are also derived from sharia and refers to specific customs and traditions observed by Muslim women during menstruation. These practices are also influenced by cultural norms and interpretations of Islamic teachings. While Islamic law provides overarching principles regarding ritual purity, prayer, fasting, and other activities during menstruation, the specific practices followed by women may vary across different Muslim communities and cultures. These practices often include rules related to personal hygiene, abstaining from certain religious rituals, and observing modesty in interactions with others.