What is period Poverty?
Yes, period products are still very vital for ending period poverty. The addition of the Menstrual Education Program, though? That is the cherry on top. Knowledge is one of the few things you can give that can never be taken, lost, or used up, and can be regifted forever. Giving a girl the knowledge to know what is going on in her own body makes a bigger difference than I even realized it would.
Jacques Morisho, an amazing community leader from the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, Africa, partnered with me to pilot the program in a school there called the Fountain of Hope. The very same day I sent over the completed program he met with three female educators who would be willing to present the program to the girls. He invited students not only from Fountain of Hope, but neighboring schools as well, mainly from the Integrity Academy.
There were 40 girls there total.
Pictures started rolling in, it was surreal seeing the program in action, and not just a file in my computer.
When I received the video from the graduation, I was blown away. How could something so simple to me be so powerful for these young women?
Here are a few quotes from the graduation:
“Thank you Liliana. Thank you for everything you have done for us; you have changed our life. You have made us not feel shy.
“Hi Liliana, my name is Happiness Mariam. Now we are in our graduation, thank you for everything you have done for us. We are now strong.”
“We would really like for this program to restart again. Thank you.”
What is period poverty?
Originally, I thought it was just the inability to afford or have access to pads, tampons, etc. Which, in theory, it is, but everyday, through experiences and moments, I realize more and more how deep period poverty goes.
It is a lack of being able to speak up about it. It is never addressed, it is too embarrassing to talk about. It makes others uncomfortable, therefore it is never brought up. Grown women go their entire lives without knowing the facts behind their period, something that happens to their body every month. When I am doing markets and events, period poverty feels like your cheeks getting warm and red because you talked about it in public. It is girls in difficult situations, at very young ages, getting pregnant because they don’t realize how their own body works. It is girls being told to hide their period.
I have said so much of what period poverty looks like, so what does ending period poverty look like?
It is girls, like the ones from the graduation, replacing shame with connection. Replacing embarrassment with empowerment. It is a lack of period products not stopping women from going to school, to work, and living normal lives.
A barrier caused by something that happens to half the population should never happen. A lack of education about something that happens in someone's body every month is inexcusable. Period.
I am beyond excited to see where the Menstrual Education Program goes next. Jacques Morisho and his team have already mobilized around 10 schools, and are considering visiting one school each month. Their plan for each school is to hold the program 2-4 times, and reach a minimum of 100 students. My hope is to continue the fight to end period poverty so all girls no longer feel shy about their period, but strong.
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