While athletes like Simone Biles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and Katie Ledecky dazzled at the Paris Olympic Games, many also used the global stage to highlight pressing issues faced by women in sports, such as body confidence and support for athletes with young children.
One initiative making headlines is "Sport Your Period," which compensates athletes for openly discussing their menstruation experiences. Sponsored by menstrual product company Knix, this campaign aims to break the taboo surrounding menstruation in sports, especially for adolescent athletes. Olympians like Canadian beach volleyball player Brandie Wilkerson and American rugby player Ilona Maher have supported the campaign by wearing small red dots during competition. U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe serves as the lead spokesperson.
The campaign builds on the growing trend of elite athletes speaking out about menstruation. New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko and Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui gained attention for candidly discussing their menstrual challenges during competitions. Yet, sports media often still reacts with surprise or discomfort, reflecting the persistence of this taboo.
Girls at Risk of Dropping Out of Sports
Despite the Paris Olympics being celebrated as the "gender-equal Olympics," significant gaps remain in addressing how menstrual health—and broader sexual and reproductive health rights—affect girls' and women’s participation in sports. Adolescent girls, for instance, drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys, often due to menstruation and body image concerns. One in two teen girls skips sports because of their period, highlighting menstrual health as a widespread, yet understudied, obstacle.
A global study of nearly 500 adult athletes found that while 87% reported their menstrual cycle affected their performance, only 35% had ever discussed it with their coaches. Moreover, about 28% felt their coaches lacked knowledge on the subject.
Although there are some initiatives, such as Nike Sync and the Power to Play Period project, which offer resources and education on menstrual health, these efforts are limited. Few structural policies address menstrual health in sports, leaving adolescent athletes particularly underserved. The Knix campaign stands out by directly targeting this group and promoting menstrual health literacy.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in Sports
The World Health Organization defines sexual and reproductive health rights as encompassing everything from eliminating maternal mortality to providing accessible health services and addressing sexual and gender-based violence. These rights also include menstrual health, which covers access to information, affordable menstrual care products, and adequate facilities, as well as the elimination of stigma and discrimination related to menstruation.
Amid rising global concerns about sexual and gender-based violence and the impact of climate change on women and girls' health, a recent United Nations report emphasised the need to better integrate these issues into discussions of sexual and reproductive health rights.
In sports, NGOs have begun using sports as a platform to promote menstrual health, sexuality education, and awareness of sexual and reproductive health rights. Recent studies stress the importance of a trauma-and violence-informed approach to sport programming, which would consider broader social and structural conditions, such as access to safe spaces and affordable menstrual products for athletes.
Addressing the Menstrual Health Gap in Sports Policy
Awareness campaigns like Sport Your Period and the advocacy of NGOs are crucial steps, but they must lead to real structural and policy changes to better support menstruating athletes. Policies that provide menstrual products, offer education on menstrual health, adjust uniform regulations, and improve toilet facilities are essential for advancing gender equality in sports. However, few sports organizations currently address these taboo topics.
Sport leaders and policymakers must recognize menstrual health as a fundamental right and a significant barrier to participation. They should also work to eliminate discriminatory practices and create supportive environments where female athletes feel comfortable discussing menstruation.
Organisations like the Women Win Foundation offer valuable insights into normalizing menstrual health in sports and improving menstrual health literacy. However, a more comprehensive approach is needed—one that not only focuses on elite athletes but also addresses the needs of adolescent girls striving to participate in sports at all levels.
We must do more to support adolescent girls in achieving their sporting dreams, whether they aspire to the Olympics or simply want to participate in sports without fear of stigmatisation and exclusion.
Note: Originally published in https://theconversation.com/
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