Intersections of menstruation, gender-based violence and contraceptive use: qualitative insights from girls and young women’s experiences in western Kenyan family planning clinics
Menstrual bleeding and contraceptive use, both independently and in combination, affect girls and young women's reproductive autonomy and overall health and well-being, particularly in relation to gender-based violence. Improving menstrual hygiene management, challenging the stigma and harmful norms tied to menstruation and contraception and ensuring safe contraceptive use are integral to improving sexual and reproductive health and autonomy and are requisite for preventing and eradicating gender-based violence.
Authors
- Erin E. Hartman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9499-6109)
- Wilkister Ombidi
- Jane Namwebya
- Manuela Colombini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7487-9634)
- Neha Singh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0057-121X)
- George Odwe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5330-2366)
- Florence Thungu
- Cicely Marston (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5529-4646)
- Ana Maria Buller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3007-9747)
- Eunice Asala
Institutions
- Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (GB)
- University of Oxford (GB)
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
- Faculty of Public Health (GB)
- British Council (KE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMJ Open
- Published
- 2025-12-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-101248
- Primary Topic
- Menstrual Health and Disorders
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine