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The Body Ban

Across the internet, information about women's health is routinely restricted, hidden, demonetised, or removed by technology platforms. Content discussing menstruation, menopause, fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, reproductive health, and other essential aspects of women's lives is often treated differently from comparable health information, leaving millions of people with reduced access to education, support, and medical resources.

Online Censorship of The Female Body

Technology companies have had years to address these failures voluntarily, yet meaningful change has been slow and inconsistent. Self-regulation has not provided sufficient transparency, accountability, or protection against discriminatory practices that disproportionately affect women and girls.​

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These restrictions are not merely technical errors. They reflect a broader pattern of discrimination embedded within content moderation systems, advertising policies, search algorithms, and automated enforcement tools. When platforms incorrectly classify legitimate health information as inappropriate, they silence experts, limit public discussion, and reinforce long-standing inequalities in healthcare and access to information.

Some of the censored words related to the female body:

  • Clitoris

  • Boobs

  • Labia Minora

  • Cervix

  • Labia Majora

  • Vulva

  • Period Blood

  • Nipples

  • Vagina

  • Period Blood

  • Female Body

  • PMS

  • Discharge

  • Amenorrhea

  • Puberty

  • HPV

  • Bacterial Vaginosis

  • Endometriosis

  • Fibroids

  • PMDD

  • Vaginismus

  • Tampon

  • Period Products

  • Panty

  • Undies

  • Infertility

  • PCOS

  • UTI

  • Vaginal Atrophy

  • Dysmenorrhea

  • Adenomyosis

  • Colposcopy

  • Breastfeeding

  • Miscarriage

  • Menopause

  • Lactation

  • Period Blood

  • Menstrual Cycle

  • Sex

  • Orgasm

  • Pelvic Prolapse

Resources

This student campaign titled 'UncensHERship' was published in South Korea and United States in February, 2026. It was created for the brands: CensHERship and Google Gemini, by ad schools: Hanyang University ERICA, Korea Institute of Creative, and School of Visual Arts. This Content, Design, and Integrated media campaign contains 9 media assets.

Credits

 

School: Korea Institute of Creative, School of Visual Arts, Hanyang University ERICA
Art Director: Subin(Dina) Jang
Art Director: Chanhyeong Jeon
Instructor: Yeon Sang Yoon
Instructor: Yoo jin Hong

Technology companies have had years to address these failures voluntarily, yet meaningful change has been slow and inconsistent.

​Legislation is now needed to ensure that digital platforms treat women's health information fairly. Governments must establish clear standards requiring transparency in moderation decisions, independent oversight of algorithmic systems, and effective remedies when legitimate health content is unfairly restricted. Access to accurate health information is a matter of equality, public health, and fundamental rights.

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The digital world should not discriminate against women. It is time to hold technology companies accountable and ensure that women's health information can be shared, discovered, and discussed without unjust censorship.

Westminster Hall Debate, May 2026: Censorship of Women’s Health and Wellbeing Content Online

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