“Human rights are not things that are put on the table for people to enjoy. These are things you fight for and then you protect.” @wangari_maathai
Menstrual health is not a woman’s issue but a human right. Unlike other normal bodily processes, menstruation is linked with religious and cultural meanings that can affect the perceptions of young girls as well as the ways in which the adults in the communities around them respond to their needs.
Adolescent girls are often uninformed and unprepared for menarche. Information is primarily obtained from mothers and other female family members who are not necessarily well equipped to fill gaps in girls’ knowledge.
It’s with bridging the knowledge gap between generations that we will have an enabling environment that propels menstrual equity, that parents and guardians are open to speaking about body changes to their daughters and sons because it all starts at home .
This will elimate period shame and stigma. Adolescent girls will understand their body anatomy and not get scared when it’s time for menarche (first period) . This would boost their self esteem and confidence making their performance in school even better.
Other factors like period pain (cramps) , lack of good WASH facilities, exclusion of boys in the menstruation discussion spaces also lead to period poverty.
At Drawing Dreams Initiative we strive to ensure access to menstrual health and hygiene & reproductive health education to and for all~ Undeserved schools and communities!
Demystifying, engaging and equipping generations for well informed decisions and easier navigation through social issues.
Menstrual Equity is achievable, sharing a better period, one girl at a time!