CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2024
| Author | Križanová, Viktória |
|---|---|
| Title | "I find it so embarrassing": Exploring Menstruation in Romani Communities in Slovakia |
| Summary | Romani menstruators have been excluded from menstrual debates both in academia but also in Slovakia, where menstruation is still a taboo topic. To fill this gap, this thesis provides insight into the lived experiences of menstruation among Romani women in Slovakia, focusing on its impact on human rights realisation, namely rights to education, water and sanitation, and freedom from discrimination. The research, conducted through semi-structured interviews with nineteen Romani women, reveals mostly negative perceptions of menstruation by the interviewed Romani women influenced by the insufficient information and menstrual taboos present in their community. Furthermore, the thesis discusses the compounded stigmatisation from racial and menstrual stereotypes, finding that hygiene and access to water are crucial for combating negative perceptions within and outside the Romani community. Additionally, the study notes minimal cultural practices related to menstruation, indicating a need for further research to explore connections with concepts like marime and menstrual slaps. Overall, the findings underscore a commonality in menstrual experiences across different groups, challenging stereotypes and advocating for the inclusion of Romani women in broader menstrual health discussions. Keywords: menstruation, stereotypes, human rights, lived experience, Roma, Slovakia, stigma |
| Supervisor | Winkler, Inga T. |
| Department | Legal Studies MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2024/krizanova_viktoria.pdf |
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