HerFlow; making menstruation honorable for Jamaican women

BY JOSEPH CUNNUNGHAM

According to research communicated in one of CBS news (CBSN) originals documentary, the average woman spends 2,535 days of her life menstruating. This means that in spite of her status financially or socially, she has no choice but to buy menstrual products for most of her life.

Speaking to Christina Capatides of CBS News, and Alicia Horton (Executive Director of Thrive DC) they told a story of a woman who came to them in tears, wrapped in a blanket from the waist down during her period. Reflecting, she said, “I’m sure if she had not been able to come to us, she would have probably had to go to the bathroom and create something to staunch her flow until she could get the supplies she needed.”

In Jamaica, the challenges faced by girls because of period poverty are just as daunting.

A survey conducted among guidance counselors in 25 schools across Jamaica has revealed that period poverty affects 44% of grade seven girls in schools. Among grade seven girls, 13% on average used alternative items such as tissue, old cloth, and banana leaves when they are on their menstrual cycle. Another 20% of grade seven girls, on average, were found to be absent from school because of their periods. The survey also found that 2% of seventh grade girls on average visited the guidance counsellor or nurse’s office each month for menstrual products.

HerFlow is the leading Social Enterprise in Jamaica and was formed to: address the stigma and shame associated with menstruation, end period poverty in Jamaica, and become a source of information for Female Reproductive Health. Founder, Author and Activist Shelly-Ann Weeks tells Toronto Caribbean Newspaper “Through education, advocacy and engagement, and utilizing the tenants of empathy, service and empowerment we are here – to TAKE THE SHAME OUT OF BEING WOMAN.”

The main objective of HerFlow, she said is: to aggressively advocate for the removal of tampon tax, to advocate for greater access to comprehensive female reproductive health care, and to empower women and girls about their reproductive health and rights.

“Fundamentally, we should treat period poverty as the national issue it is, and have essential products accessible for free to women and girls who need them. As an item, I think menstrual products should be treated the same as we treat tissue. It is a personal item. We need it and it is supposed to be available.

In 2019 HerFlow Foundation partnered with the female hygiene products brand, Always. They pledged and donated through HerFlow Foundation, over 170,000 sanitary napkins in 20 selected secondary schools across Jamaica.

For 2020, there is a full calendar of activities that include period education workshops, donations, and social media campaigns. These include:

End Period Poverty Tour – Partnership with Always to donate 200,000 pads to schools in the 14 parishes of Jamaica – March 16^th to May 8^th, 2020.

Writing HerStory – A Summit that features inspiration through storytelling for girls scheduled for March 18^th, 2020.

Invest in Girls Summit – A Partnership with 15-year-old Author and Activist, Marley Dias and the GrassROOTS Community Foundation based in New Jersey scheduled for April 3^rd, 2020.

Celebrate Her Brunch and Awards – An event created to honor women doing amazing work in their communities with the HerFlow UnSung Shero Award scheduled for April 5^th, 2020 at the Knutsford Hotel.

“Ending Period Poverty is one of our flagship objectives and while we are happy to report that we have made an impact in giving access to menstrual products to thousands of Jamaican women and girls, we still have a lot of work to do.  One of our biggest challenges is lack of funding and we are thankful to everyone who has donated as we continue to seek funding that can help us make an even greater impact,”