SOCIAL entrepreneur Florence Igboayaka is to celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day by launching an online summit on May 28.
Despite the Scottish Government’s policy which offers free period products to anyone that needs them, Igboayaka says that many across the UK still suffer.
Her goal is to create awareness about period poverty, and “empower, elevate and celebrate women and defy the worldwide stigmatisation around menstruation”.
Four speakers who run programmes to empower women or tackle period poverty will provide information and inspiration for women and community builders.
Up to 100 participants are expected to attend to network and ask questions.
“Period education needs to be more accessible, practical and about empowerment, not embarrassment. This is why I created this event,” Igboayaka said.
“Many girls in the UK and around the world still have to deal with period poverty and period stigma, making them miss out on school and collective activities.
“It is such an inspiration that Scotland is now offering free period products. Yet, there is still some progress to be made about period education and open conversations about female puberty within families and at school.”
She set up the Period Place as a non-profit organisation to promote awareness and education about menstruation and puberty. She combines period education and fun through her Period Comic series with relatable characters. One of the interventions of The Period Place is offering free period clinics from June.
The summit has some free tickets as well as VIP tickets which come with a gift and can be accessed at www.theperiodplace.co.uk.
Ten percent of the proceeds of ticket sales will enable The Period Place to offer free online period clinics for single dads and dads anywhere in the world.
The clinics will start on June 14 and will focus on helping dads have conversations about periods with their daughters. Registration is open at www.theperiodplace.co.uk.
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