Abstract

Case Presentation

Menstrual Taboos and Child Rights: Death of a Girl during Menarche

Vishadha Perera*

Published: 09 May, 2025 | Volume 9 - Issue 1 | Pages: 050-053

Introduction: Menarche, the onset of a girl's first menstrual cycle, often introduces menstrual taboos in certain eastern cultures. These taboos may manifest as social isolation, dietary restrictions, and exclusion from religious spaces, which can adversely affect health and promote gender inequality.
Case history: A 10-year-old girl developed gastroenteritis while in cultural confinement after reaching menarche. Her parents strictly adhered to traditional customs that limited her interactions with the outside world and deprived her of healthy foods. They believed that her fatigue was a result of hormonal changes associated with menarche. Although her condition worsened over four days, they did not seek medical treatment. The child succumbed upon admission. The autopsy revealed extensive cyanosis in the left hand due to multiple thrombotic occlusions of the brachial vein. Microscopic examination confirmed the presence of brachial venous thrombi. The cause of death was determined to be Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) as a consequence of hypovolemic shock.
Discussion: Key medico-legal issues in this case include parental negligence and failure to provide medical care under Section 308A of the Penal Code, potentially leading to criminal liability for negligence-related death under Section 298. Violations of the child's rights, protected by the Children and Young Persons Ordinance (CYPO) and the Protection of Children's Rights Act, form the legal framework for child protection in Sri Lanka. The ISD has interviewed family members and collected witness statements from neighbors and teachers, referring the case to the police for further investigation and notifying the National Child Protection Authority for an additional inquiry. Additionally, Sri Lanka is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which guarantees children's fundamental rights.

Read Full Article HTML DOI: 10.29328/journal.jfsr.1001080 Cite this Article Read Full Article PDF

Keywords:

Gender inequity; Menstrual taboos; Menarche

References

  1. Gottlieb A. The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Menstruation Studies [Internet]. Singapore: Palgrave Macmillan; 2020. Chapter 14. Available from: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-15-0614-7
  2. Grigorian A, Nahmias JT. Upper Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis [Updated 2023 Jan 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482420/
  3. Shbeer A. Extensive lower limb deep vein thrombosis provoked by gastroenteritis-induced dehydration: a case report for unusual precipitating factor. Int Med Case Rep J. 2022;15:713-718. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2147/IMCRJ.S392338
  4. Pathirana BDD. Guidelines for conducting child forensic interviews in Sri Lanka. Int J Sci Res Sci Technol. 2017;3(6):173–83. Available from: https://ijsrst.com/IJSRST173616
  5. UNICEF Sri Lanka. UNICEF welcomes commencement of amendments to the Children and Young Persons Ordinance in Sri Lanka [Internet]. 2022. Available from: https://www.unicef.org/srilanka/press-releases/unicef-welcomes-commencement-amendments-children-and-young-persons-ordinance

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