To Nadine (and any girl child reading this),
You are extraordinary. Periods and all.
Your period is symbolic of your power, your womanhood, and your sisterhood. But sometimes, you forget the magic behind it. Sometimes we see our periods as something we want to hide, ashamed of, and something we are self-conscious about. Some people scrutinise your period and minimise your experience as if it’s up for debate, but I am here to tell and empower you to embrace it.
It’s time you embrace it wholly, dear period; you are something to be celebrated and marveled at. You are no longer silenced in rooms because I am slowly beginning to speak about you loudly and openly. The more I speak about you, the more I realise I am not alone. I now have a community of humans who acknowledge and support my experiences with you. I am constantly learning how we can co-exist every month, and to be honest, it is still freaking hard because sometimes you come in with all the punches (cramps, nausea, moods etc.), but at least I am trying. I am unlearning all the misconceptions and breaking the stigma within myself and the world so that a period-positive world will be a reality for my younger sister and all the younger girls behind me.
A Reminder for Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023:
Girl child, it’s time you stand with pride and walk in conviction about your period,
Do it for yourself, your sisters, your brothers, and the millions of girls around the world,
It starts with loving yourself and your body a little bit more,
It starts with being kinder to yourself when it is hard and painful,
A little bit of love and kindness to yourself goes a long way,
Because it is the foundation for creating period positive change in the world.
Again. You are extraordinary. Periods and all.
Remember that.
Love,
Nadine
🎶 This letter was written while listening to Woman by Nao feat. Lianne La Havas
So What Can You Do To Change The System?✊🏾✊🏼✊💥
Learn: 📚
Get informed about your menstrual health and the challenges faced by girls by signing up for these courses:
- Menstrual, Sexual, and Reproductive Health Course From Global Changemakers Organisation. In this course, you will learn from 10 Changemakers from 9 countries who are activists and/or medical professionals with extensive experience in Menstrual and Reproductive Health.
- Menstrual Cycle Support Course by Menstrual Cycle Support. This course helps you to understand, reframe and even embrace every day of your menstrual cycle.
- Learn about your and the African context on menstrual health in the Menstrual Hygiene Education Course with UhuruPads
Read:📚
- Learn Everything You Need To Know About Period Poverty and 4 Ways Period Poverty Affects Africa’s Women and Girls, According to Activists with Global Citizen
Listen: 🎧
- To an episode on Menstruation Matters on the SakinaSpeaks Podcast with Candice Chirwa
Did You Know That Qrate Is On A Nationwide Period Positive Tour? 🩸
Qrate is on a period tour all across South Africa. If any schools or youth organisations would like to get involved or be a part of the period positive tour, please email info@qrate.co.za