Peninah’s story: We never spoke about getting my period
Peninah’s story:
We never spoke about getting my period
Peninah, 13, from Uganda shares her story of getting her first period. The unknown of what was happening to her body was a scary experience. But now, thanks to health, hygiene, and menstruation lessons at school, Peninah has found confidence in managing her periods.
“I was twelve years old when I had my first period. I didn’t know what was happening to me: Was there something wrong with me? I didn’t dare talk about it to my aunt, who I live with.
It happened again every month. Sometimes, I was afraid I was dying.
“I had to protect myself as I was bleeding. I didn’t want anyone to see it. That is why I would put old rags and toilet paper in my underwear. But that didn’t help for very long. It often leaked and then my dress was soiled.
What if my friends saw it? They would probably laugh at me. I felt really uncomfortable.
“One time the dress of one of the girls in my class was covered in blood. Everybody started laughing and pointing at her.
I didn’t want that to happen to me so I decided to stay at home when I had my period. I missed a lot of lessons.
“When I was at home I stayed inside. I didn’t dare to play outside or dance, something I really like to do.
“The rags were really uncomfortable in my underwear, so I couldn’t help at home. Normally I fetch water or wash my nieces. Luckily my aunt understood and allowed me to stay in bed.
Even though we didn’t talk about it, she knew exactly what I was going through, of course. After all, she had the same problem every month, I know that now.
“Now we have lessons in health, hygiene and menstruation. In the lessons we talk about the changes in the bodies of boys and girls.
The teacher told us about the fact that girls start getting their periods at a certain age. And that this is something perfectly normal. I suddenly realised what was happening to me.
“I also heard about sanitary towels for the first time, and that it is important to keep clean when you are on your period.
Now I go to classes at school and meetings after school. It is good to learn about your body.
“I also talk about it with the girls next door. Some hear the craziest stories from their parents. That a cassava plant will die if you stand next to it when you’re on your period, for instance. Or that you should not cook for your father during your period because he would die. I tell them that nothing about that is true. “