Half of the world experiences menstruation, yet females still face extraordinary barriers simply because of their periods. A study found that 71% of girls in India report having no knowledge of menstruation before their first period. (From the Menstrual Health in India Report sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) My first reaction, that’s absurd! Yet, when I thought back to puberty I can’t remember anyone talking to me about my first period before it happened. Not even my mom. In Africa, you’ll hear girls refer to their periods as their time of shame. The unavailability of sanitary products in developing countries is a barrier to education for school age girls. It contributes to absences of up to 4 to 5 school days each month, that’s 20% of the academic year skipped due to menstruation. It further limits their future career and economic opportunities. Let’s get rid of the stigma and taboos. Be proud. Period.

http://menstrualhygieneday.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/FSG-Menstrual-Health-Landscape_India.pdf

https://www.afripads.com/what-we-do/