Stopping the Stigma: Periods in Women sports
The Women’s world cup is underway in Australia and New Zealand. The world has seen large crowds gather to sell out stadiums to watch the world game – football or, as we call it here, soccer. However, Women’s periods have been taboo throughout history and a further taboo in women’s sports. Studies have shown many girls do not continue playing sports due to this. Over the last few years, there has been a breakthrough in stopping the stigma of talking about women’s periods, especially in sports. There have been changes in uniforms and discussions to break the stigma surrounding periods and sports. Michelle O’Shea is a sports management lecturer at Western Sydney University, and she joined the Monday Daily to discuss periods in women’s sports.