Why let periods flow?

Anisa Juma

When I was at school, ‘period’ was an unforgivable word. A word that was a synonym of ‘the curse’ and a curse was how I and many others viewed it. With monthly pains and judgemental stares, it was the ubiquitous enemy at my high school. Periods were common and so was the insistent pressure to hide them. Sex education was completely inadequate: discussing periods needed more humanity than what was offered by the purely anatomical lessons of biology. With a lack of intervention from teachers and the curriculum, schools become a breeding ground for shame and resentment to grow among friends. 

I had enough of hushed tones, disgusted faces and being a bystander to the silent suffering of young people, so I took a stance, and began my campaign.  

Within my school, I was able to use my role as Head Girl to influence and raise awareness of the stigma. In assemblies, I promoted the government’s free period product scheme, which many students weren't aware of, as well as discussing the taboo that was forcing young people to shy away from vocalising their thoughts and feelings on periods. 

My aim was to break down these barriers within my school community and not just with students but with teachers. and I desperately hoped that my talks reached my younger peers. I didn’t think much of it until those same 11 year olds began rushing to me saying “I saw your speech, it was amazing!” or “I didn’t know that about periods'. Those words were a win for me. I had succeeded where my teachers had failed. Then it struck and I thought, ‘Maybe I could make a change. Maybe I could have an impact.’

I fashioned my organisation a name: ‘Let Periods Flow’ and I researched- the menstrual cycle and the worldwide stigma surrounding menstruation. I realised the stigma was being nurtured by the scientific community and their lack of research, and by cis men with their apathy towards issues that affect other genders. Periods were still seen as dirty and people who had them were viewed as impure because of it. Education must be used as a tool to foster unprejudiced attitudes for a new generation. The Let Periods Flow pledge asks schools to: educate all students about periods; provide easy access to free period products; and to use inclusive, accessible language that is stigma free when discussing periods.

As a filmmaker, I created an animated short film dedicated to tackling the stigma to a younger audience. This film would not just engage young people but educate them, allowing them a sense of autonomy over their body and to accept their body without shame or guilt. I created an education plan to match the film, testing and consolidating the new knowledge. Young people should be able to embrace their feelings around periods without harassment so it's also essential that all genders - including boys-  receive this education to fill the gap of knowledge that many currently lack. I aim to source my film out to schools within my city and trial its impact in July 2025 when the current government aims to overturn the legislation that provides schools with free period products. 

My current aim is to further promote my campaign and spread it out but I have no plan of stopping. The future I see is one where all young people have access to free products; young people can openly discuss their periods without embarrassment and learning about periods is a compulsory part of a student's education. I want you to demand that your school takes part in the Let Periods Flow scheme. Use the Let Periods Flow website to access letter templates which you can use to write to your headteacher and encourage them to sign your school up to the Period Pledge, as well as templates to write to your MP, persuading them to advocate for Let Periods Flow and for an improved period education.