Breaking the Silence on Periods

August 21, 2025

Tolu was thirteen years old when she first saw her period. She felt dirty, too dirty to tell anyone, not even her mother.

Determined to go through this alone, she began by borrowing and later, saving money to buy her pads by herself. But why did the man from the kiosk still look at her with judgmental eyes when she nervously asked for one?

Why does something so natural, something as beautiful as a flower blossoming, begin to feel like a curse?

Many young girls just like Tolu are going through this dilemma. They are not prepared and are taught to carry on in shame the moment menstruation is brought up. Pads must be hidden deep inside bags when purchased and girls are often excluded from family time and religious activities simply because of something they cannot control!

The Price of Silence

In many countries and communities, menstruation is still viewed through the lens of myths, shame and disgust. From a tender age, girls are trained to view their body as something to be embarrassed about. They are taught to suppress all the burning questions and to wallow in silence. Girls stay silent, they say.

These girls grow up to become women who knowingly or not pass this cycle of silence and shame to the next generations.

According to UNESCO, 1 in 10 girls in Africa miss school during their periods, and some never return.

Many stay away simply out of fear of being stained, mocked and humiliated even by their fellow girls who have learnt wrong.

A simple act of care, understanding and education could change this narrative but the world continues to choose silence.

The lack of access to safe sanitary materials forces girls to come up with “innovative” alternatives, items like tissue papers, rags, handkerchiefs or even leaves.

These alternatives may lead to infections, discomfort and deep emotional trauma.

Beyond the surface, the psychological effect of all these cannot be overlooked. Young girls are raised with low self-esteem, taught to feel inferior and to believe one gender is somehow better than the other. In the process, many girls lose the ability to see their bodies as something to be proud of. Instead of embracing womanhood, they are taught to hide it.

Breaking the Silence

Yes, we can all come together to break this silence….

Across Nigeria and beyond, many organizations are stepping forward to defend menstrual dignity.

One of them is the Slum and Rural Health Initiative (SRHIN), which is making bold moves to empower girls and normalize conversations around menstruation.

At SRHIN we ensure girls and women have access to accurate menstrual education, safe sanitary products and most importantly, a voice.

We believe nobody is supposed to feel shame concerning what they have no control over.

Boys are also not left behind. In this fight to eliminate period shame, it is vital to engage and educate boys. When boys understand that periods are not dirty, not shameful and not something to be mocked, they join in this mission to end period stigma as allies, not just as bystanders.

Social media has also become a powerful tool. Young people and influencers are now challenging period myths, sharing their experiences and normalizing what should never have been hidden in the first place.

By building empathy and respect, we are building a future that is more empathetic, better informed and more diverse.

What Can You Do?

We all have a role to play……

Educate Yourself First

The more you learn, the more you’ll be able to dispel myths and stereotypes, and also educate others.

Normalize the Conversation

Start talking about periods openly and honestly. Understand that every conversation helps reduce shame and build understanding.

Support and Partner with Initiatives

Organizations like SRHIN are already doing the work. Stand by them with donations, volunteering or even just word of mouth. Your donation can go a long way in offering menstrual education and free pads to underserved communities.

Donate Pads and Resources

Donate sanitary products to schools, churches, mosques or community centers where needy girls will have access to them with dignity.

Challenge Stigma When You See It

Whether in joke or a side comment, speak out. Your voice can make a person feel heard, safe and supported.

Be Kind and Compassionate

Even if you do not menstruate, your compassion matters. Periods are individual but universal and kindness always makes a difference.

A World Without Period Shame

Tolu’s story doesn’t have to be every girl’s story.

It is our responsibility to create a world where no girl has to feel shame of something so natural. Where menstruation is no longer treated like a sin or a curse.

A world where girls walk with their heads held high during their periods.

A world where no one looks at a girl with judgment when she buys a pad.

A world that understands, respects and celebrates womanhood.

We have to join hands together to break this cycle of silence because in doing so, we build a better world for every girl.

Now, Let Me Tell You About Tolu

Tolu got so much better after a group of SRHIN volunteers visited her school for an outreach.

To her, they were like angels sent to free her from the instinctive shame and confusion she had always carried.

She felt seen, she felt loved and for the first time she began to truly understand her body.

She learnt to love herself and carry her sanitary pads with dignity, unbothered by the judgmental look of the man at the kiosk.

Today, she educates other girls about period dignity and what it truly means to own your body with pride.

If you ask her now, she’ll smile and say:

“I bleed with pride”.

Breaking the Silence on Periods