Pads and Periods - Breaking the menstrual taboo

Afrika Nå

Female sanitary pads, reproductive health, and menstruation in particular, is a topic deemed taboo in many African countries. Menstruation is often associated with uncleanliness and impurity, and there is little awareness about the importance of adequate sanitary facilities. What role does the language surrounding female sanitation play in stigmatizing women and their bodies? And what role does wider society play in directly or indirectly restricting the access women have to sanitary products? Due to the social stigma surrounding menstruation and the high cost of sanitary products, many girls are forced to either drop out of school or even sell sex to afford sanitary products. This again has widely negative impacts on African communities. What can be done on a policy level to ensure free sanitary pads and proper facilities? And how can we start a dialogue to get rid of the taboo? Panelists: Denis Nzioka, Kenyan activist and journalist. Nzioka made international headlines due to carrying around pads for women in order to fight the stigma of menstruation. Gry Larsen, secretary general in Care Norway. Care is a global aid organization working for women's rights. Luwisa Makosa, student activist from Zimbabwe. She has a background from the Student Christian Movement of Zimbabwe, an organization working to secure student welfare. Moderator is Asta Busingye Lydersen, artist and writer.