What in the World - Why the word ‘vagina’ is getting blocked on social media

Download Why the word ‘vagina’ is getting blocked on social media

Is educational content about women’s reproductive and sexual health being removed or restricted on social media apps? Content moderation tools are meant to flag specific words and imagery that breach platform guidelines, like showing nudity or explicit content, but posts that use clinical terms like ‘vagina’ are getting blocked too. BBC reporter, Ashitha Nagesh has been speaking to charities, campaigners and businesses about this issue.

We hear from three creators, Dr Aziza Sesay, Samantha Hadadi and Gigi Engle about their experience of being shadowbanned on social media and how it’s impacted their work.

And Martha Dimitratou is the founder of Repro Uncensored, a non profit that tracks censorship online, she tells us how this is impacting content creators on a global scale.

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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden
Editor: Verity Wilde

Published on Monday, 19th October 2026.

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