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Description

Period Poverty Really Cramps My Style (SDGs)

Resources

- Second device
- A3 Page
- colouring/drawing materials

Instructions

Introduction / Icebreakers
Everyone introduces themselves, where they are from and does an action. The rest of the group welcomes them and copies the action.

Period “box”
The girls can ask as many questions that they have about periods etc during the session which will be noted down and stored in a box. At the end of the session we can go through and answer as many questions that we can.

Activity 1 : “Lets get talking.” (15 to 20 minutes maximum)
1. Write the following two headings onto each large sheet of paper/ZOOM: ‘Open’ and ‘Private’. Stick these onto the wall in opposite ends of the space.
2. Explain that they will be doing an activity about things we are happy to talk openly about, such as the weather, and things that we might only talk about in private, such as our feelings about people. Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers.
3. Split the group in two. One team will be trying to come up with open topics and the other team will think about private topics. (Break out rooms may be needed)
4. Come back together share what we consider private and open conversations. Bring the group back together, and looking at the sheet marked ‘open’, ask them to explain why this is so. They could think about how they feel talking about these topics and why. For example, comfortable, happy and so on.
6. Move on to look at the ‘private’ topics. How would they feel talking about these topics openly? For example, embarrassed, uncomfortable and so on. Ask them why they feel this way? For example, because no one talks about them usually, or they are embarrassing topics that they would only talk about with someone they trust. If the topic of periods hasn’t already come up, write ‘periods’ onto a sticky note and hold it up for the group to see. Ask them to place the sticky note under the heading that matches how they feel about talking about periods. Ask for reasons.
8. Ask what they think these observations tell us about talking about periods? Explain that in general, periods are usually not talked about openly. People may find talking about periods difficult depending on where they are and who they are talking to. Girls may prefer to talk about periods to other girls or people who have periods
privately, or they may find talking to boys about periods slightly awkward.

Activity 2
True or False – put an end to the myths surrounding periods (10 to 15 minutes maximum)
1. Explain to the girls that they are going to take part in a true or false quiz about periods. This will make sure that they have the right information they need to deal with their period. If they think a statement is true, they should move to one end of the room and if they think a statement is false, they move to the opposite end of the room. If they are not sure or neutral, they should stay seated.
2. Read out the statements below. After the girls have chosen what they think the answer is, give the correct answer and accompanying information.
3. When you complete the quiz, ask the girls if there were any facts that they found particularly surprising or shocking. Ask which ones and why. To end the activity, explain to the group that knowing about periods can help them prepare if they have periods, and help them understand that periods are normal, not something to be ashamed of.

Don't go camping because the bears can smell it from far away False

You can only buy period products from a chemist. False

Every girl starts their first period at the age of 12. False

If you shower with hot water while on your period you will have a heavy flow False

You should avoid dancing to very active rhythms in order to take care of your uterus False

Everybody gets PMS and it always manifests as - crankiness/irritability False

Your first period last up to two months long False

Some girls end up missing school because they cannot afford to buy period products or cannot access them. True

Food cravings are a very common symptom to periods True

Breast Tenderness is a common symptom True

Intense exercise or certain medical conditions can lead to irregular periods True

Girls usually only loses a few tablespoons of blood during the whole period. True

3,500 days of the average woman’s life will be spent menstruating True

Activity 3: Taboo (45 minutes maximum)
1. Explain that periods are often seen as a 'taboo' subject (something people don’t want to mention or talk about). When people consider something to be a taboo or private, they sometimes use different words to describe it and intentionally avoid mentioning the topic or word directly.
2. In small groups (of 4 or 5) ask the girls to spend 2 minutes thinking of different words or phrases they have heard of for periods or if they have any words or phrases of their own that they use. Examples could include Aunty Flo, red lights, menstruation, time of the month, rag week and so on.
3. Write the girls answers on either a large piece of paper or zoom.
4. Ask the girls to read out some of the words. Ask the group if they seem serious? Funny? Do they make it clear what is being referred to?
5. Give 30 minutes to allow the girls to draw an informative poster for their schools/meeting hall etc. in how we can end the stigma around periods.
6. Come back and discuss the girls posters

Activity 4: (10 to 15 minutes)
Go through the period box and answer any questions that the girls had and say goodbye.

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