Ok, girls! Here’s what we’re working on in the Girls Can Change the World Club on iTwixie! TOGETHER WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD!
We learned from the Day of the Girl Summit community that there is a challenge facing girls that we know we can change. Now. Period.
THE CHALLENGE
There are girls in other parts of the world who have to STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL when they have THEIR PERIOD because of SHAME, BULLYING and NO SANITARY SUPPLIES. Girls STAY HOME! Once a month! Because of their PERIOD! Are you saying, how can this be? So did we!
THE FACTS ABOUT A GIRL’S PERIOD
1. A girl’s period is natural and is a beautiful part of growing up to maybe have children one day. All healthy girls get it. Period.
2. If no one teaches you that your period is natural, beautiful and something every girl gets, then you are not going to feel ready when it starts and you may feel shocked and worried about it. If someone teaches you that your period is natural, beautiful and something EVERY girl will experience, then you’ll feel better about it coming and you can get prepared for it. It’s that simple. Period.
3. if someone is allowed to make fun of a girl because of her period, then that community is going to suffer. Poking fun at a girl is never a good idea. But poking fun at a girl’s period, or menstruation, is not just bad for the girl, it’s bad for the family, class, the town, the city, and it’s bad for our whole world. Know why? Because the future of our whole world depends upon all of us helping our girls understand their bodies, stay healthy, be smart and bold and brave so they can grow up and help our world become a better place. This, girls, is a fact. Period.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
In many parts of the world, there are a lot of different things you can buy to make sure nothing happens to your clothing during your period. We often call them sanitary supplies. But in some parts of the world, girls cannot buy these kinds of supplies. Do you know why? Because in those parts of the world, there is a shame that’s associated with menstruation. It’s considered a “private” thing. Girls hide when it happens. Or sometimes, there’s just nothing for them to wear to keep their monthly menstruation from showing on their clothing. Doesn’t this sound impossible? But it’s true! That’s why girls will stay home from school during their period. Girls can miss so much of school that sometimes they DROP OUT! And if they go to school, they get bullied by boys and others if their menstruation shows on their clothing. It’s a ridiculous situation because our periods are NATURAL! Our periods are how our bodies get ready to have babies! So let’s get real here: NO ONE SHOULD BE BULLIED EVER, BUT ESPECIALLY FOR SOMETHING AS NATURAL AND BEAUTIFUL AS A GIRL’S BODY LEARNING HOW TO GET READY TO HAVE A BABY!!!!! There’s no shame in having our period!
WHAT IS YOUR PERIOD?
A girl starts getting her period, or menstruating, when she begins to go through adolescence. Some girls start as early as 10 or 11 and some girls don’t start until 16 or 17. It’s different for each girl. But the thing is, during adolescence, a girl can have her period, or menstruate, for about a week per month. During this time, her body will make the nutrients it needs to feed a baby. When the girl doesn’t need these nutrients, the body gets rid of them. It’s at this time, when the body gets rid of those nutrients, that we call it “your period.” The body sends those nutrients out via the vagina. So a girl’s undergarments can get completely covered if she’s not wearing something to absorb it.
WHAT WE CAN DO
Join the Girls Can Change the World Club! So let’s support girls around the world to feel good about their bodies! Let’s help girls get prepared to have monthly periods! Let’s keep girls in school so they can be smart, bold and brave women in the world!
Let’s hear it! Say yes!
So, girls, are you ready to start changing the world?
Photo credit: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2014/oct/30/costly-periods-economic-impact-of-menstrual-shame
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