I Menstruate: Demystifying Period Shame.

When I was in JSS 3 an NGO came to my school (high school).

For their campaign on menstrual hygiene, I couldn't attend but some of my classmates did.

After the lecture, I saw girls looking for polythene bags to put something, I kept watching from the window, wondering what all the fuzz was about.

Shortly after, two of my classmates came out holding one pack of sanitary towels each, walking with their heads up high, talking and laughing as they did.

I heard murmurs from different corners around me... ''Why didn't they look for something to put it in''. "Why hold it like that?" The voices said.

In my head, I was like ''oh those girls I saw earlier needed the polythene bags because they wanted to put the pads in them''.

I was unconcerned whether it was held by hand or put in a polythene bag, made no difference to me.

Until years later, when I realized something, girls weren't comfortable holding sanitary towels without them being covered.

Some brought thick polythene bags that ensured it was well covered before they purchased from the sellers. They didn't want the ones given by sellers because it was transparent.

I noticed some even waited to ensure they were all alone before they bought sanitary pads especially if there were boys or men around.

I've spoken with some girls and they argued that the whole world shouldn't know they're menstruating that's why they do the above. 

Others confessed they were shy, just asking for it from the seller and holding it in transparent polythene bags after purchase.

These two sets of girls have the right to do as they please but what I won't accept, is being shameful about menstruation because the world said you should.

So whenever I go to buy a sanitary towel in shops near my house, I hold an invisible placard that reads 'I MENSTRUATE'

I ask... What brands of cotton sanitary towels do you have?

I ensure I'm the loudest person there, I noticed once I do this, everyone stops ordering and waits for me to finish before they proceed with theirs.

Yes, wait for your queen 😂

I do this intentionally, I want young girls around to know there is nothing disgraceful about menstruating.

I want them comfortable in their skin.

They should talk about issues that affect them in confidence, not fear and shame. It shouldn't matter where they're or whom they are with, whether men or women.

For generations, girls were raised to believe menstruation is shameful and dirty. Some religions don't allow girls to pray or go into temples, it's forbidden while menstruating.

Girls continue to be oppressed in different ways, it became harder for girls to find themselves. They have been swirled in different directions, some lost themselves in the process.

We must strive to empower girls in our communities and beyond. Let's all work together to ensure their future is safer and better.

I leave you with these words  📢 📢 ''I MENSTRUATE!!!!!!!''.

#menstrualhygiene #menstruationmatters #menstrualhealth #menstruationawareness