Muslim women on social media have been discussing the challenges around eating while having their periods during the holy month of Ramadan. Some have said they hide away from male relatives to avoid being stared at or having to lie about menstruating. During Ramadan, Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset, not consuming food or drink. However, when a woman is menstruating she cannot fast.
Sophia Jamil explains: "Some people don't want to admit this problem exists because they see it as a negative reflection on the Muslim religion, but there is a problem." "My mum used to tell me, if you're on your period don't tell the men, only the girls know," says the 21-year-old beauty blogger. "So whenever I was drinking water and saw my father coming I would put the glass down and walk away. I had to be like a racoon. My mum would put food in my room and tell me to eat there quietly."
Sophia who lives in New York and is of Pakistani descent says: "My brothers would try to catch me eating in order to embarrass me. I wish I had the confidence to say that this is natural and my religion commands that I cannot fast because I am not pure enough." Sophia says menstruation is such a "shameful topic" that her mother never told her she would get periods when going through puberty. "I really think menstruation should be something women own, the taboo should be gone. There should be more conversations and it's up to our generation to make that change," she says.
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