News

The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted a global crisis. With infections soaring in previous months, hospitals overcrowded and understaffed, families split, and countless jobs lost. Amongst all of this there is a hidden pandemic, violence against women and girls.

The United Nations estimates that 243 million women and girls aged 15-49 experienced sexual and or physical violence by an intimate partner in the past year before the pandemic started. Since then, the instances of this violence have increased, especially domestic violence. They also found that there is an increase in calls to domestic violence helplines in multiple countries and lack of support for survivors as efforts and resources have been diverted in response to immediate covid-19 relief.

This day of awareness was first started by German, non-profit advocacy and education group WASH United. WASH stands for WAter, Sanitation and Hygiene. The group is mainly based in different Sub-Saharan African countries and India, such as Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania.

The aim of this day of awareness is to break down the taboo of periods and raise awareness about the importance of menstrual hygiene management for everyone with a period. This year’s theme is action and investment into period management NOW. 

For the last few months, I have been working with The Zinthiya Trust, a Leicester based charity, which helps vulnerable people, who have suffered from abuse, violence and poverty. Whilst their services are open to everyone, a big part of the charity also helps women and girls, who have been subjected to domestic abuse, honour-based violence & FGM (female genital mutilation).  Many of those victims face adverse circumstances and live in dire circumstances and severe poverty, before they get help and support from The Zinthiya Trust.

Everything You Need to Know About Using Menstrual Cups

What is a menstrual cup? Why are they better than traditional tampons and pads? How do I know what size I need? How to use a menstrual cup? How often do you empty a menstrual cup? How far do you insert a menstrual cup? Can I go swimming with period cup? How do you take out a menstrual cup without making a mess? Can I use a period cup if I have an IUD?