Stand with girls
working to
end period stigma
Girls are missing school, being bullied, and dealing with distress. All because nobody will talk about periods.
I stand with girls to manage their periods without shame.
On any given day, around 800 million people around the world will be on their period. But all too often, this natural and healthy part of life is seen as shameful and dirty.
Myths and false information around periods are common. This can lead to girls, women and all people who menstruate being isolated or stigmatised. And it can mean that over time, opportunities in their lives are limited.
We’re working across the world to fight the taboos around periods – but we can’t do it alone. It takes all our voices to change attitudes and beliefs.
How period stigma and myths impact girls, women and all people who menstruate around the globe
- 500 million girls and women globally lack the facilities to properly manage their periods.
- Many women who are on their periods are not allowed to be in the kitchen or attend ritual practices, according to a 2016 Hindustan Times report on period taboo in India.
- Research from The Wire in India reported that roughly 28% of girls said they do not go to school during their period because they don’t have affordable menstrual products.
- In Sierra Leone, myths surrounding menstruation include; once a girl gets her period, it means she has been sexually active; and the beginning of menstruation signifies the end of childhood.
- In rural parts of Bangladesh, there’s a misconception that periods are a form of punishment or curse.
- In the United Kingdom, more than 137,700 of girls in the UK missed school in 2017 because they couldn’t afford menstrual products. Shame and stigma surrounding that, according to the Independent, resulted in a loss of education for these girls.
This is why Plan International is working across the globe to help improve the menstrual health of girls, and all people who menstruate, and to smash the stigma and myths about periods.
Will you support girls who are calling for an end to period stigma?
Stand with girls like Pheang.
Pheang, 17
Stand with girls like Pheang.
When 17-year-old Pheang from Cambodia got her first period, she had no idea what it was.
“I was scared and I didn’t go to school that day because it was hard to change my pad, as there were no toilets there and we didn’t have anywhere to wash. I was ashamed every time I had my period. I was afraid blood would get onto my skirt and everyone would see it. I felt forced to stay at home from school and my family never noticed.”
For too long, period stigma held Pheang back. But thanks to supporters like you, Pheang’s community has both new toilets and wells built by Plan International.
Pheang stopped missing classes because she was able to safely manage her period at school. But every day, girls around the world still miss school, and face anxiety and discomfort– all because of period myths, inadequate facilities and a lack of education about menstruation.
Together, we can help end period stigma.
About Plan International Australia
Put simply, we’re the charity for girls’ equality.
We tackle the root causes of poverty, support communities through crisis, campaign for gender equality, and help governments do what’s right for children and particularly for girls.
We are here to ignite the creativity, talent and ideas of girls in all their diversities. We are informed by evidence, and always learning.
A better now for her. A better future for everyone.
This is what we stand for. Will you join us?