On the 31st March 2023, Qrate collaborated with Good Governance Africa and Africa Tikkun to facilitate the #BreakTheSilenceWorkshop. Our facilitator Candice Chirwa hosted a 3-hour impactful workshop that shed light on the significance of dismantling taboos surrounding menstruation. The workshop engaged 25 incredible young women from the Young Women Movement initiative by Afrikka Tikkun, who learned about being agents of change in breaking the stigma around menstruation in their personal lives and their communities.
Qrate facilitated an interactive workshop that engaged the participants in empowering activities to learn more about their bodies and periods, while leading critical discussions on the impact of period stigma in society. The workshop held a safe space for our participants to express themselves freely through dance, singing, sharing their experiences, and asking questions about all things periods.
Our workshop started with an ice-breaker to get everyone comfortable with the space and each other. The participants played an introductory game called “My Name is,” where they introduced themselves through joint singing and dance. Next, Candice led the participants through a vagina mediation, where the participants could relax and stretch while learning about all the different parts of the female reproductive system. Then, our participants were introduced to periods through a short animated video on periods and our famous vagina song activity. After the fun introduction session, our participants were ready and energised to engage with the many activities prepared for them in the workshop.
The 3-hour workshop was packed with exciting activities built around experiential learning through practical activities, internal reflections, and group discussions. Read on further to see what went down during the #BreaktheSilence workshop.
The practical elements of the workshop included the participants partaking in the period product alien game, where they learned about the available menstrual products and their applications. The period product alien game was not just about learning about the applications of the various menstrual products but also a research activity where the participants got to dig deep to understand what type of materials are used to manufacture the different menstrual products. This menstrual product research got the participants thinking about the impact of certain period products on our environment and planet. Furthermore, this activity allowed the participants to ask Candice where to access certain products as they are not readily available in all pharmacies and grocery stores.
Our workshop also used visual learning as a way in which participants could learn more about periods. During our workshop, we showed an animated short video introducing periods and a short movie called “First Period”. The “First Period” was a powerful visual experience because it showed the participants a period-positive world that contrasts the lived realities of the period stigma millions of menstruators continue to face today. This video highlighted to the participants that creating a period-positive world is possible if we break the period stigma within ourselves, communities, and governance structures.
At Qrate, we aim to transfer period experiences and knowledge through our true and false quizzes, period myths game, and our what would you do game.
True and False Game: Our participants took part in a quick-fire True or False quiz that questioned participants about the quick facts about periods and period statistics. The true or false quiz highlighted the sheer magnitude of the menstrual inequality world concerning mainstreaming access to period products, menstrual health, and menstrual education.
What would you do?: Our participants reflected on the question, “What would you do?” in relation to various multiple scenarios. This activity was powerful because it got the participants thinking emphatically about the different experiences that menstruators face.
The Period Myth Game: This game was centred on the participants sharing all the period myths they have come across on a whiteboard. Then through a guided discussion with Candice, the participants collaboratively debunked each myth on the whiteboard before them.
The workshop closed with the participants taking their period pledge, vowing to talk openly about periods so they are part of the change in breaking the chain of stigma towards periods.
“The responsibility of making a positive impact is one that must be shared; therefore, let us collaborate in order to make a difference in the lives of children and young people” – Africa Tikkun
Thank you to Good Governance Africa and Africa Tikkun for sharing the space with us to empower young girls on periods. To the participants, Qrate thank you for entering the space with enthusiasm, open hearts, and energy. Thank you for leading critical discussions in the workshop, as we pledged, remember to be the vehicles of change for yourselves, your families, and your communities.
This year Qrate is going on a period tour all across South Africa. If any schools or youth organisations would like to get involved or be a part in the period positive tour, please email info@qrate.co.za
On the 9th and 10th of February, our facilitators Felicia, Mogau, Slu, and Candice kickstarted our Period Positive Tour in Brits and Bethanie to conduct four menstrual health workshops for a whooping four schools! During our first Period Positive Tour leg, 150 girls were edulifted to see their periods in a positive light.
Day 1: Brits, Gauteng
We started our tour in Brits, holding two eventful workshops in Mohajane and Motlake Primary Schools. The students got to participate in our interactive workshop that informed them about the female reproductive system, various period products, and how to be period positive individuals!
The students were fully immersed in the workshop as they learned a great deal about periods and the female body. There were a lot of light bulb moments were we all debunked period taboos in our true and false educational quiz and when we introduced various period products and their applications.
Our workshops are a two-way street, where the facilitators and students both contribute to creating value in the conversations held in the workshops. During our workshops we aim to create a comfortable space where our participants can freely share their thoughts, ideas and feelings because we all can learn from each other’s experiences.
Day 2: Bethanie, North West
Our next stop was the North West province, where we visited Bethanie Primary School and Dimapo Primary School.
Our facilitators showed the students the different parts of the female reproductive system and their functions. During this session the students got to see how how the menstrual cycle occurs in relation to changes within the female reproductive system.
Team work is the dream work: Our facilitators alongside the students collaboratively demonstrated how to use various period products ranging from pads, tampons to menstrual cups. This was an important session because it allowed the students to practically learn how to use different menstrual products to comfortably manage their menstruation.
All our workshops closed with the students taking their period pledge, vowing to talk openly about periods so they are part of the change in breaking the chain of stigma towards periods. At Qrate, we are all about spreading period positivity with all the students we engage with.
We would like to give a special thank you to the students and teachers of Bethanie, Dimapo, Mohajane and Motlake Primary Schools. We are estatic to have started our Period Positive tour with you! Thank you for being engaging, inquisitive, and open to learning more about your bodies and periods.
Remember that being open about the topic of menstruation is feeling comfortable yourself while breaking social period taboos others in society.
This year Qrate is going on a period tour all across South Africa. If any schools or youth organisations would like to get involved or be a part in the period positive tour, please email info@qrate.co.za
With the new year already in full motion, we are honoured to have hosted our first workshop of 2023 with Noordwyk Secondary School. Our founder and director, Candice Chirwa, facilitated an exciting and educational menstrual talk and workshop with 200 Grade 8 and 9 students.
The early morning workshop was kickstarted with icebreakers to get the girls comfortable with freely speaking about periods. These ice-breakers opened a dialogue that allowed the students to express their opinions and views on periods. Next, the students participated in a vagina mediation session that literally knocked two birds with one stone because it first had the students stretched and warmed up for the day, and secondly, the vagina mediation taught the students the different parts of the female reproductive system.
Following that, the students took part in a True or False educational quiz that questioned the young girls about the basics of periods, period products, and debunking period taboos. The true or false quiz highlighted the sheer magnitude of the menstrual inequality world in regard to mainstreaming access to period products, menstrual health, and menstrual education. Then, the students participated in a period product alien game where they practically partook in peer-to-peer learning about different period products and their applications.
The workshop closed with the students taking their period pledge, vowing to talk openly about periods so they are part of the change in breaking the chain of stigma towards periods. At Qrate, we are all about spreading period positivity with all the students and people we engage with.
We received great feedback from teacher Martha, the Head of Department of Life Orientation at Noordwyk Secondary School, stating that she was very happy with the workshop as it offered an interactive and enjoyable platform for her students to learn about mensuration. Watch the video below to hear teacher Martha’s full reflection on the workshop.
We would also like to give a special thank you and a big shout-out to SkinBodyRenewal and Konami Girl for their generous donation of 200 packs of reusable Konami pads to the Grade 8 students. Your partnership and relentless commitment to addressing period product access is part of the driving force that continues to push and inspire the period community to continue to strive for greater reach in addressing menstrual inequality and mainstreaming menstrual education.
To the Noordwyk Secondary School 8th and 9th Graders, teachers, and teacher Martha (HOD of Life Orientation/ SBSG Co-ordinator), you were phenomenal! Thank you for engaging and adding value to the workshop. As we pledged, remember to talk about periods because our periods are power. And that’s on, period!
This year Qrate is going on a period tour all across South Africa. If you would like your organization to experience the Qrate Menstruation Workshop, please email info@qrate.org.za
On the 28th of September, we hosted two menstruation workshops in ONE day. Our facilitators Felicia and Candice started the morning with a workshop at Brescia House in Bryanston for the girls of grade 7s, 8s, and 9s. As part of the Menstrual Project, Brescia House is committed to ending period poverty by donating period products to schools in need. Their teacher, Mrs. Williams is very passionate about the power of education and felt the need for the girls to learn about everything period related.
Brescia House Girls participating in Menstruation Workshop
The fun-filled and jam-packed workshop kickstarted with our fun icebreakers to ease the girls into the workshop. Following that a video took the participants on a visual journey of the experience of the first period in a world of full-fledged period positivity and support for periods. The workshop included an eye-opening quiz that assisted the participants to debunk numerous menstrual myths and taboos. This activity aided to contextualize the challenging circumstances that millions of menstruators face around the globe. Following that, the students were tasked with participating in a period poverty quiz that allowed them to understand the dire circumstances that menstruators in South Africa and the rest of the world have to face every single month. In our final activity, we did our favorite task the Alien Game where five girls were nominated to present period products and explain the use and purpose of each period product. In conclusion, the girls did a period pledge to remain committed to building a period-positive world.
Brescia House High School Teacher, Genevieve Savary-Williams thoroughly enjoyed the workshop in particular in highlighting the economic challenges menstruators faced in South Africa. She even discussed the plans for Bresica House to be involved in donating period products to other school organizations in Johannesburg in the upcoming future.
Facilitators Candice and Felicia with L.O and History Teacher: Genevieve Savary-Williams at Brescia House School
Later on in the day, we teamed up with The Pad Princess to deliver a quick menstruation workshop for the girls of Sparrow Combined Technical Skills School in Melville. The Pad Princess has recently launched their own dignity kits that include reusable pads, period underwear, and toiletries that young menstruators require when on their period. As part of their program, The Pad Princess team invited Qrate to deliver a presentation on understanding periods and in particular understanding how to take care of period products.
Felicia and Candice conducting a workshop at Sparrow Combined Technical Skills School
The girls of Sparrow Combined Technical Skills School had a lot of engaging and important questions which added to the positive mood of the workshop. Facilitators Candice and Felicia spent a lot of time going into the biological process of periods and in particular dispelling any myths and stigmas around period products.
We can confidently say that the girls of Sparrow Combined Technical Skills School and Brescia House are Edulifted about periods!
On Friday, the 9th of September, Qrate was invited to Waverly Girls High School to conduct another menstruation workshop for 1119 girl learners. Our facilitator Selo held it down with ease and great confidence in providing Eduliftment.
The workshop started with icebreakers, and following that, a menstruation quiz to test the girls’ knowledge of period health was conducted. Our popular Alien Game was done after that which is always an engaging and interactive part of the workshop with the learners asking a lot of questions about sustainable and alternative period products. The workshop ended off on a high note with the Qrate Period Pledge.
The teacher of Waverly Girls High, Priscilla Ratsoana was extremely grateful for Qrate to educate the girls on such a critical subject in an empowering and fun way. We are incredibly grateful to the Girls of Waverly High for giving us the space to build a period-positive world at their school!
Last week Tuesday (6th of September), we collaborated with Mina Cups (a local menstrual cup company) to deliver another fun-filled menstruation workshop for 102 girls in Diepsloot.
The Mina Cup Foundation is passionate about ending period poverty and addressing the issue of young menstruators having to miss school owing to their lack of access to menstrual products. Part of the foundation is to travel globally not only distributing Mina cups to schools but also empowering youth and young MENstruators through education and mentorship.
For this workshop, we conducted our fun #KnowYourFlo workshop where we taught and tested the young girls’ knowledge on period poverty. We started the session with fun icebreakers, then moved to our period true or false, finally ending with our popular Alien Game period product activity where facilitators (Candice and Emily) were tasked with presenting different period products to the girls. Following that, we ended off the workshop with our Qrate Menstrual Pledge and our Vagina Chant. To end the day, the girls were given beautiful goodie bags from Mina Cups and Diepsloot Mall!
Mina Cups is on a mission to Minarise the world and Qrate is happy to be apart of this mission in changing the world, one period at a time!
