Normaliszing Menstruation, Empowering Girls; A Malawi Journey

Fanny Chidoola Start Date: Feb 1, 2023 - End Date: Jan 31, 2024
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Leadership/Training Program
  • Volunteer Trip

My Travel Story

by: Fanny Chidoola Start Date: Feb 1, 2023 - End Date: Jan 31, 2024
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Leadership/Training Program
  • Volunteer Trip
Every month, millions of adolescent girls around the world face a miserable cycle of pain, discomfort, shame, anxiety, and isolation when their menstrual period arrives. Menstruation is a normal and regular event in every healthy adolescent girl's life. Yet drastic changes are needed to encourage positive social norms and ultimately enact behavioural change. All girls and boys must be educated about menstruation and reproductive health to empower them to talk comfortably and candidly about periods and sexual health. 
Growing up I didn't have anyone to talk to when I started my period. Often times it would come up while in class and would stain my uniform, boys and other younger girls would laugh and isolate me. The shame from this  affected my studies. Often I would fake sickness and refrain from school a whole week of my period.
Now I have made it my passion normalising menstuation and sharing with young girls period  health and hygiene. I have made efforts in my community to empower, educate, and engage, families, and adolescent girls and boys about menstruation, and to highlight the right of women and girls to hygienically manage their periods. 
I want to go further than my community. I want to reach out to all the boys and girls through out Malawi and I need your help to achieve this. I will receive monetary donation to help me with travel and the purchase of reusable sanitary pads. But I can also receive donation in form of reusable sanitary pads. 
Anyone willing to fly to Malawi and volunteer with me on this journey is welcome! Thank you.