Breaking the Silence: A Journey to Menstrual Equity and Dignity

Menstruation is a universal experience, yet for millions of girls and women around the world, it’s a time filled with fear, shame, and unimaginable difficulty. This is not just an inconvenience—it’s a crisis. Period poverty is real, and its ripple effects touch the heart of education, health, and the very dignity of girls and women across communities.

I remember when we started Crimson Liberation Hub after a #designthinking workshop organized by Impact Week at Heritage Christian University College , it was clear that the problem extended beyond just access to sanitary products. I met young girls who missed school every month because they lacked the most basic supplies. The fear of leaking, the embarrassment of being teased, and the shame of something as natural as menstruation kept them away from the classroom. My heart broke when I learned that some girls were forced to use old rags, tissue papers, socks, leaves, or even stay home during their periods. This isn’t just about comfort—this is about dignity.

I saw how menstrual health issues perpetuated gender inequality in education. In some rural areas, 1 in 10 girls misses school during her period, falling behind in her studies and, in some cases, dropping out altogether. Period poverty, while often unspoken, contributes to the cycle of poverty, locking girls into a future without education or opportunities.

This injustice drove me to champion the cause of menstrual equity through Crimson Liberation Hub. Our mission has always been clear: to provide not only access to sustainable menstrual products but also to spark conversations that break the silence around periods. We distributed reusable pads made from organic, environmentally friendly materials. These pads aren’t just a product—they’re a symbol of empowerment, an assurance that no girl will have to miss school or feel ashamed of her body because of her period.

The Power of Education

Providing reusable pads is one part of the solution, but education is just as crucial. In our menstrual health workshops, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for girls to understand their bodies and their menstrual cycles. Many of these girls had grown up with a deep-rooted sense of shame, passed down from generations, about their bodies and menstruation. Through open, honest conversations, we are teaching girls that there is no shame in being a woman—that menstruation is a sign of health, not something to hide.

And the results? Remarkable. The girls leave our sessions with their heads held higher, armed with knowledge, reusable pads in hand, and the confidence to go back to school without fear. They know they are not alone in this struggle.

A Global Crisis

Menstrual inequity isn’t confined to one country or one community. Around the world, 500 million women and girls lack access to the products and education they need to manage their periods safely. The impact is devastating, affecting their health, education, and livelihoods. But here’s the thing: we can change this. It’s a battle we can win, but we need more voices, more hands, and more hearts committed to the cause.

Every donation you make, every pad you help distribute, is a step toward empowering girls and breaking the chains of period poverty. And it’s more than just about hygiene—it’s about giving girls their futures back. It’s about ensuring that no girl ever has to choose between her education and her period.

How You Can Help

This is where you come in. The fight for menstrual equity needs champions. Champions who believe that no girl should have to miss school because she can’t afford menstrual products. Champions who believe that menstruation should not be a source of shame. Champions who believe that every girl deserves a chance to live with dignity.

You can contribute to this transformation. With just a small donation https://donate.changoapp.com/campaign/66d85c9789880 , you can provide a girl with reusable pads that will last her years, or fund educational workshops that will empower entire communities. Together, we can make menstrual equity a reality, one pad, one girl, one conversation at a time.

“It’s more than just a pad—it’s about dignity.”

As we continue this journey, I hold onto hope—hope that one day, period poverty will be a thing of the past. And as I work alongside our dedicated volunteers and community partners, I believe that day will come sooner than we think.

Let’s rewrite the narrative of menstruation together—one that speaks of pride, empowerment, and equality.

Key Takeaways:        

• Menstrual Equity is a critical issue that affects education, health, and the dignity of millions of girls and women worldwide.
• By providing reusable sanitary pads and menstrual health education, we can empower girls to stay in school and break the cycle of period poverty.
• Join the cause and help make menstrual equity a reality for every girl, everywhere. It’s not just about hygiene—it’s about giving girls their futures back.