Step into the heart of community development, where Qrate and the Embassy of Argentina in South Africa joined forces for a transformative and empowering day at Lowe Primary School. This collaborative effort marked a significant expansion of the longstanding partnership, moving beyond sports development to address a critical issue: period poverty.
On the day, we had 140 young girls engage in our fun Menstrual Health Workshop. Facilitated by our Qrate facilitator Lebo Kotane, this session aimed not only to impart knowledge but also to foster a sense of empowerment among the participants. From debunking myths to delivering accurate information, the workshop became a safe space of enlightenment, equipping these young individuals with essential insights into menstrual health.
The day unfolded into an Art Prizegiving ceremony, acknowledging and celebrating the artistic prowess of Lowe Primary’s students. This multi-dimensional approach, combining education with creativity, exemplifies Qrate’s commitment to fostering holistic development within communities.
A commendable extension of commitment by the Embassy of Argentina was witnessed on this occasion. Known for their contributions to sports development at Lowe Primary School, the Embassy has now taken a holistic approach by addressing period poverty. Beyond the distribution of menstrual products, this collaboration underscores a commitment to ensuring that no student’s education is hindered by the lack of access to essential hygiene resources. In light of the success achieved through this collaboration, Qrate extends a formal call to action to organizations across sectors. The issue at handāperiod povertyāis a shared challenge that demands collective attention. Organizations, regardless of scale, are invited to align their efforts with Qrate to contribute substantively to the eradication of period poverty.
Corporations, non-profit entities, and individuals with a vested interest in societal well-being are encouraged to explore engagement opportunities. Collaborative initiatives, sponsorships, and volunteer endeavours are pathways through which collective efforts can make a tangible impact on the lives of those affected by period poverty.
Qrate’s collaborative initiative at Lowe Primary School serves as a testament to the power of strategic partnerships in effecting positive change. From menstrual health education to artistic appreciation, the day encapsulated a vision for an empowered future.
Ready to make a difference? Contact Qrate to express interest in collaborating on Menstrual Health Workshops at info@qrate.org.za.
Have you ever missed physical education lessons at school or any other sporting commitments because you were on your period?
The fact is that menstruators across the world are missing out on sports because of their periods due to the inaccessibility of period products, while others have felt self-conscious and embarrassed to participate during their period due to societal stigmas.
By working to break down harmful period stigma, we can ensure no one has to miss or avoid participating in sports while on their period because having your period should not get in the way of you participating in sports,
In June, Qrate and Football Without Borders SA collaborated to take a step toward flipping the narrative on menstruation for young South African athletes. The workshop left the young athletes empowered, knowing that they can, too, thrive in the sporting world as menstruators.
Period Poverty in South African Schools
Millions of menstruators in South Africa are not able to afford or cannot access period products. This is known as period poverty.
Respective research conducted in South African Schools by the Menstrual Hygiene Management and The Borgen Project found that:
83% of menstruating learners do not have regular access to menstrual hygiene products both at school and at home;
1 in 4 learners (who menstruate) miss school monthly because they lack access to menstrual hygiene products and support during their menstrual periods;
An estimated 30% of South African menstruators do not attend school while they are on their period because they do not have sanitary products.
How Does Period Poverty Affect Sports Participation?
The statistics above in South African schools reflect the realities that menstruators face across society. Menstruators play on an uneven playing field due to existing period stigmas, period product inequality, and inaccessibility. This translates to missed training, missed competitions, and increased dropouts of menstruators in sports. In summary, these are MISSED OPPORTUNITIES and LOST POTENTIAL for millions of girls, and women.
What Can We Learn From Football Without Borders SA?
Our workshop with Football Without Borders SA was a special one because it was telling that there are sports clubs and organisations that are making efforts to provide and integrate menstrual health education for their athletes to ensure that menstruators have a safe and comfortable environment. Not only is menstrual education important for the athletes but also for the coaches and staff members to understand how to support menstruators.
The more we can start normalising menstrual conversations and education in sports, the easier it will be to spread support. If we start talking more openly about periods – a menstruator who might be struggling with their period would be more open to seek support from their parents, coaches, or staff members to get help and advice.
Sparking conversations about menstruation health enables us to celebrate what women on their periods have achieved, and helps to break taboos while opening the door for an important mindset shift in sports regarding periods. The more conversations we can have about periods in sports, the easier it can become to set setting higher standards for girls and women in sports to be protected and supported.
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
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 itās up for debate, but I am here to tell and empower you to embrace it.
Itās 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, itās 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.
So What Can You Do To Change The System?āš¾āš¼āš„
Learn: š
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.
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
We are excited to share our teamās new menstrual drip that has been proudly sponsored by Levi Strauss & Co. Our new fit includes a new period positive shirt accompanied with a classic Levi blue jean for each team member.
To celebrate the official launch of our new team look, our team had a energy and laughter-filled photoshoot to showcase Qrateās newest team merch. Read more to check out our team photoshoot and the meaning behind our period positive team shirt.
The eye-catching yet meaningful print design on our shirt is the Qrate trademark and here is why. Period positivity is a central focus of our work and therefore our shirt reflects of our mission to empower young girls on periods. We want our shirt design to spark conversations around menstrual topics typically considered taboo such as period stigma and period poverty.
āPower to the periodā means shifting back the power to women over our bodies, periods, and rights. We can no longer fail to engage and remain silent on those who menstruate. Throughout history, periods have been hidden from the public as they have been seen as a taboo and/or embarrassing but we are flipping the coin in shifting this narrative to one that is empowering and positive.
We are proud to be rocking these new shirts because they colourfully, boldly and loudly represent what we work towards. A big thank you to Levi Strauss & Co for supporting and supplying the Qrate team with our newest team merch.
Did you know that Qrate is on a nation-wide 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 in the period positive tour, please email info@qrate.co.za
Join the movement to break period stigma and let’s start having real conversations about menstrual health. Qrate is committed to providing Menstrual Education in ending period poverty in South Africa. Check out our recent #Periodpositivetour video highlight below.
Menstruation is a natural biological process experienced by half of the world’s population, yet it remains a topic shrouded in stigma and shame. Educating young girls about menstruation is essential so they can understand their bodies and manage their menstrual cycles confidently.
On the 19th and 20th of April, Qrate hosted a menstruation workshop for the 120 girl learners from Leap Sciences and Maths School in Diepsloot and Linbro Park. In collaboration with the Leap Institute’s Learning andĀ LivingĀ Labs Leader, Neliswa Nyandeni, our facilitators Candice, Felicia, and Selo hosted an impactful two-day workshop that covered a wide range of topics, including the biology of menstruation, menstrual health practices, menstrual products, and the emotional and mental aspects of menstruation.
Today our Qrate Team hosted a Menstruation Workshop at Leap Science & Maths School! š« š«
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.
The two-day workshop was packed with fun activities that promote the engagement and participation of the students. The #KnowYourFlo session kickstarted with energizing icebreakers to encourage the students to feel encouraged to participate.
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 āFirst Periodā. The āFirst Periodā 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:Ā 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.Ā
Alien Game: The Alien game was not just about learning about the applications of the various menstrual products but also a research activity where the students 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.
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.Ā The students each received period products from our period partners: The Pad Princess and Komani Pads.
We’d like to thank the Leap Institute for inviting Qrate to host the #KnowYourFlo Period Workshops! We’re excited for delivering our workshops to the other Leap Schools in South Africa as part of our ongoing #PeriodPositiveTour.
To invite Qrate to your school or organisation, reach out to the Qrate team on: info@qrate.org.za.
