SRHR Campaign theme My Period, my Power, my Pride Courtesy: Ellie von Wellsheim Students at the St. Kizito School, located near Wakiso, Uganda, receiving MoonCatcher kits.

Key issues In some schools there are no toilets Access to water and washing facilities during this time Greater challenges in rural areas Access to stores which sell sanitary pads Financially, not all can purchase pads, even in urban areas STIs and unhygienic situation for girls Because of lack of proper sanitary pads, young girls cannot go to schools or continue sports Very secret when one has their period Period ads portray menstrual blood as blue in media, showing that period blood should not be shown

Key objectives To free young girls from shame Change attitude about menstruation Increase school attendance of young girls during their periods Remove financial constraints in accessing hygienic products

Target groups Schools Mothers as well as Fathers Young boys Department of Health Department of Education Faith based organisations and traditional/religious leaders Media Beneficiaries of this campaign will be mainly young girls and women

Key messages Health and Hygiene for all Water saves lives Educate a girl, educate a nation Moon Power, Girl Power, Goddess Pride Changing the tide of girls and their periods Menstrual power, women’s power Periods should not exclude, let’s embrace Ubuntu The sacredness of the girl’s period and honouring her future fertility Fathers honouring their daughters’ entry into womanhood.

Tools – media Short movies Radio spots Sketches and drama TV

Tools – social media Pamphlets and infographics Video and Youtube Blogging Twitter and Facebook posting and sharing Networking, pinning, bookmarking

Tools – Community media Roadshows showing menstrual technologies Encourage celebrations of women entering their periods eg using drama to honour the girls Films using all the SADC cultures showcasing the initiation rites and ‘rites of passage to womanhood’ and using the multicultural platform to encourage ubuntu and all women of Africa to realise their full potential