The Power of Inclusive and Shame-Free Period Education

Do you remember the first time you learned about periods in school? 

Everyone’s experience is different; mine was in grade 4. 

The year was 2010. My parents had to sign a permission slip beforehand. They put the boys and girls in different classrooms. The nurse leading the session firmly told us not to discuss it with the boys afterwards. 

While I’m sure she had good intentions, this taught my class to treat periods with secrecy and shame before we’d even learned what periods were. It also reinforced the common and harmful belief that young boys (and non-menstruators in general) have no business knowing about menstruation. 

Luckily, menstrual education at The Period Purse is light years ahead of that now. Our period-positive presentations reduce period stigma by making audiences feel safe to learn and ask questions about all things menstruation.

But elementary school students aren’t the only ones with something to learn. That’s why The Period Purse’s education sessions are for folks of all ages! 

Depending on the audience’s demographics and needs, our presentation topics range from:

• Periods 101 

• Period Poverty 

• Reusable Period Products 

• How to talk to kids about periods 

• Period Poverty and Advocacy 

The presentation I received in grade 4 made menstruation seem like a shameful thing that only concerns people with periods. On the other hand, TPP’s education sessions are founded on the belief that periods are natural, shameless, and deserving of dignity from everybody. 

Keeping boys in the room for this conversation is the most important part. People who don’t menstruate deserve the chance to learn how to be good allies to the people who do. Further, we won’t achieve menstrual equity if half of the population isn’t informed or engaged on the issue.

Through inclusive, shame-free and fact-based period education, we have the power to shift the culture around periods — from one of taboo and widespread period poverty, to one of health, dignity and empowerment! 

Did you know The Period Purse’s education program is the most established and wide-ranging one of its kind in Canada? Book your FREE presentation today, virtually or in-person, in English or in French!