Menstrual Health Promotion and Social Networks: Perspectives from Intersectionality.

• Grant number: 24/16688-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Public Health Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Natália Sevilha Stofel
• Grantee: Natália Sevilha Stofel
• Host Investigator: Jessica Polzer
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Western University , Canada

Abstract

The process of health production is a complex and dynamic phenomenon, permeated by various intersections of oppression, such as patriarchy, heterocisnormativity, capitalism, racism, and ableism. These structural forces directly influence how health is experienced and accessed by different social groups. This study seeks to understand how social networks are involved in the development of actions aimed at promoting menstrual health in Canada and Brazil, using intersectionality as the main analytical tool. The research will be conducted in three main phases: the first phase consists of mapping menstrual health promotion initiatives and policies in Canada, aiming to understand the practices adopted in this context. In the second phase, an in-depth conceptual and bibliographical review will be carried out on menstrual health, intersectionality, and health promotion, accessing relevant reference sources for the theoretical construction of the study. Finally, the third phase involves a comparison between the realities of Brazil and Canada, highlighting similarities, differences, and possible contributions to the promotion of menstrual health from an intersectional perspective.