Protected or Sheltered? - Unpacking the Colonial Roots of Stigma Around Female Healthcare

The stigma surrounding female healthcare, particularly in areas like breast health and menstruation, is deeply rooted in colonial and imperial histories. These attitudes have persisted into modern times, affecting discussions and access to essential health services. Understanding these roots can help us recognize the barriers that continue to impact women's health, especially among immigrant communities in countries like Canada.

Breasts as an “Unnatural” Part of the Female Anatomy

Breasts, a natural and essential part of the female anatomy, have long been stigmatized due to historical and cultural influences. During the colonial era, Western powers imposed their own moral and cultural standards on the populations they dominated. In many cases, this led to the objectification and sexualization of women’s bodies, particularly their breasts. Western colonialists often viewed the exposed breasts of women in non-Western cultures as "savage" or "unnatural," reflecting their ethnocentric beliefs. A prime example of the long term impacts of this can be seen in modern day India. Historically Indian women wore sari’s without tight blouses, simply draping a cloth to cover the breasts in the hot and humid environment; with the British introducing blouses to Indian women, in present day India, breasts are reduced to symbols of sexuality rather than being acknowledged for their biological and health needs. As an Indian woman myself, I have seen women being told to “cover up” and keep discussions of their breast health limited to a small, often ill equipped group of other women suffering. Perhaps the biggest tragedy is the misconceptions held by not just Indian, but many post-colonies of their own cultures. Upon discussion with a Gynaecologist in India, she mentioned how she is seeing a sharp rise in cases of breast cancer at later stages due to women not seeking out for help earlier, often due to reluctance and fear - attributed to the taboo around breasts. While women in the west now experience and enjoy the de-stigmatization of their own anatomy (although a right not perfectly given so yet), women of post-colonies still suffer at the hands of ideologies that were never part of their own culture initially.

Periods and Postcolonial Taboos

The colonial legacy also plays a significant role in shaping the stigma around menstruation. In many cultures colonised by Western powers, menstruation was viewed through lenses of both purity and impurity, often influenced by the colonisers' own religious and cultural beliefs. These views led to the marginalisation of menstruating women, treating them as "unclean" and furthering the taboo around discussing periods openly.

For many immigrant women in Canada, these stigmas persist, making it difficult to discuss menstrual health issues with healthcare providers. The reluctance to address these topics can lead to inadequate care and support, as healthcare providers may not be aware of the cultural sensitivities and barriers that their patients face. A recent survey showed that 30% of women in Egypt were unaware of the existence of periods until they got their first one. We cannot expect women to progress in society if they are not given the tools to first understand themselves and their anatomy.

Moving Forward: Addressing Stigma through Postcolonial Feminism

In an ever adapting world - one with a rising population- it is imperative we do not ignore the conversation of female rights and livelihoods - the feminist movement needs to address the rights of all women, regardless of location, economic situation and culture. Unfortunately, the feminist movement currently caters largely to Western movement and thus, it is imperative to adopt an intersectional feminist perspective that rejects saviorism, respects cultural differences, and fosters true solidarity to protect not just female but human rights crucially in formerly colonised nations.