Menstruation
Putting an end to period taboos
We’re helping girls challenge the myths that surround menstruation
Periods are a universal fact of life wherever you live. But sadly, so is the stigma and shame that comes with them.
From not having access to safe sanitary products or decent toilets, to being too embarrassed to talk about periods, a culture of taboo is having a negative impact on the lives of girls, both here in the UK and around the world. And the impact can be devastating.
In some countries, girls are banished from their homes, or told they can't go to school. It’s time that changed – and you can help us. Stand with brave girls as part of our Because I am a Girl campaign, or make a donation today, to support our menstrual hygiene work around the world.
26% of girlsin the UK didn't know what to do when they started their period
51% of girlsin Ethiopia miss between one and four days of school a month because of their period
Only 12%of girls and women in India have access to sanitary products
STICKING IT TO PERIOD SHAME
Have you ever thought about the difference between a plaster and a sanitary pad? They both do a similar job. Yet every month, girls are expected to hide their pads away – while no-one thinks twice about putting on a plaster.
That’s why, to mark International Day of the Girl, we created our very own Plaster Pads, to share the message that #WeAllBleed.
SHAME AND STIGMA IN THE UK
“I do feel like there’s a stigma around the topic of periods. If people spoke about periods more without the stigma, it could help a lot of people.” - Jess, 17, UK
Stigmas surrounding periods affect girls everywhere. In the UK, 48% of girls feel embarrassed by their period, and 49% have missed school when menstruating. Our research also shows major gaps in what girls are being taught: one in seven girls in the UK aged 14 to 21 didn’t know what was happening when their period started*.
Growing up a girl: Uganda
'I used my grandmother's old clothes'
In Uganda, Peace and Moreen share their experiences of getting their period for the first time.
'Finally I knew what was happening'
When Agnes found blood on her dress she thought she was dying. Access to sanitary pads has changed everything.
My First Period: a photo story
Confined indoors for seven days. Banned from using salt in food. Forced to miss classes at school.
Nine girls from around the world bravely open up about the stigmas and difficulties they faced when they got their first period.
ENDING THE SILENCE AROUND PERIODS IN SPORT
“As athletes we are encouraged to understand what is happening to our bodies and how best to deal with it, but for a lot of girls around the country, this isn’t the case. There is no shame in periods, it’s a natural thing and it shouldn’t stop us going on to achieve what we want to achieve.”
- Magdalena Eriksson, Chelsea Ladies Football Club
From our archives
Menstruation: Let’s Stop the Myths
Discover the stigma girls and women face every day just for having a period
The best of #JustATampon
Hundreds of people embraced our campaign to highlight the stigma attached to menstruation
Breaking the barriers for girls
With your support, we’re working with girls around the world to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene, shattering stigmas and helping girls stay in school when they get their period. We’re constructing girl-friendly toilets in schools and communities and increasing access to sanitary products, so girls no longer have to use unhygienic materials. And we're engaging boys and men, so they’re more likely, as breadwinners and decision-makers, to spend money on sanitary products for their families.
*Our survey was carried out by Opinium, who polled 1,000 young women aged between 14 and 21.