平均而言，月經是月經人一生中40年的每月發生一次。 這種體驗因許多因素而大不相同，不僅受個人身體反應的影響，而且受周圍社會環境的影響。 文化，宗教和社會經濟因素要麼加劇要麼減輕月經鬥爭。 這項研究檢視了這些因素如何影響埃塞俄比亞的月經，並探討了個人自我感知的影響。 研究表明，文化禁忌，經濟障礙，月經產品缺乏選擇等因素，透過限制意識，獲取和選擇來阻礙身體的自主和自由。

On average, menstruation is a monthly occurrence for four decades in the life of a menstruating person. The experience differs greatly based on several factors, influenced not only by individual bodily reactions but also by the surrounding social environment. Cultural, religious, and socio-economic elements either aggravate or mitigate menstrual struggles. This research examines how these factors impact menstruating in Ethiopia and explores the consequences on individuals' self-perception. The research reveals that cultural taboos, economic barriers, lack of option in menstrual products among other factors, hinder bodily autonomy and freedom by limiting awareness, access and choices.

THESIS VALIDATION LETTER ................................................................................ i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................. ii
ABSTRACT IN CHINESE........................................................................................... iii
ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH........................................................................................... iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................v
TABLE OF FIGURES, TABLES, APPENDICES.................................................... vii
INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................1
1. LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................................................................5
1.1. The Ethiopian context ..................................................................................... 5
1.1.1 Location, Interplay between Demographic trends and Economic development
................................................................................................................................... 5
1.1.2. History: Ethnicities and Political Ideologies................................................... 8
1.1.3. Traditional Aspects of Women’s Health: Amharic Language euphemisms for
‘menstruation’ and Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting.......................................... 11
1.2. Religion in Ethiopia: Facts and perspective on women.................................. 14
1.2.1. Orthodox Christianity.................................................................................... 16
1.2.2. Islam.............................................................................................................. 18
1.3. Menstruating: Universal secrecy and ignorance......................................... 19
1.3.1. Insufficient science research ......................................................................... 19
1.3.2. Depiction of menstruation: Advertisement ................................................... 20
1.3.3. Insufficient regulations on chemicals in pads............................................... 21
1.4. Menstrual Hygiene Management in Ethiopia ................................................. 23
1.4.1. WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)..................................................... 23
1.4.2. Assessment of the menstrual sanitary products situation.............................. 24
2. METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................25
2.1 Research Design and Method: Qualitative narrative research ...................... 25
2.1.1. Theoretical Perspectives................................................................................ 25
2.1.2. Personal Reflections...................................................................................... 26
2.2. Data Collection................................................................................................... 27
2.2.1. Participants.................................................................................................... 27
2.2.2. Interview process .......................................................................................... 28
2.2.3. Interview questions ....................................................................................... 28
2.3. Hypothesis exploration ...................................................................................... 29
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION....................................................................................30
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................38
REFERENCES:.............................................................................................................40
APPENDICES................................................................................................................48

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