decolonisemenstruation

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About the DECOLONISE MENSTRUATION Project

By Project Manager DIANA MORE

     Decolonise Menstruation began as a collaboration between Bloody Good Period, a charity that provides menstrual products to those who can’t afford them, and Decolonising Contraception, a volunteer run collective of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) health professionals working to address health inequalities in SHR (Sexual & Reproductive Health). The goal was to end period shame within the unique experience of BIPOC communities. The project happened through a series of workshops, using sound medical advice and creative activities to break down taboos and myths around menstruation and our bodies.

Three small groups were created by collaborating with refugee and asylum seeker centres; Xenia, Women for Refugee Women’s Centre and Baobab Women’s Project. Workshops began during lockdown so were held over Zoom. Attendees were mailed out a Welcome Pack (Image 1.) so they could participate in all the creative activities from home and also try out different reusable menstrual options. Internet data vouchers were also supplied, so there was no cost to attend.

Image 1. Welcome Pack

We looked at three main areas that create period shame; physical, emotional and societal pressures. Medical advice was overseen by founder and director of Decolonising Contraception, Dr Annabel Sowemimo.

Topics covered included:

Menstruation language and translations  

Menstruation art, activism and media representation

Pre-colonial and non-colonised menstruation practices

Pre-colonial and non-colonised genders and attitudes towards sexuality

Ethical and environmentally friendly menstrual products

Fibroids, endometriosis, menopause, racial disparities in healthcare  

Ancestral knowledge, alternative healthcare

Self-care and community care

To explore these topics, workshops were broken up into two parts, an educational and a creative half. Beginning with the information section, we gave medical information and discussed theory. It was filled with lots of questions, mythbusting and lively conversations.

One participant shared her experience of understanding decolonising menstruation. She grew up in India, where she was taught that the indigenous community, close to where she lived, ostracised menstruators. When she was at university she went to work in this community and learnt that rather than being sent away in seclusion, menstruation was seen as a sacred time, when women were encouraged to rest. Their husbands took over the cooking and cleaning duties because women had lower energy levels or often were in pain. The participant said she realised that part of colonisation is making us believe that indigenous practices are “backwards” and oppressive to women. Of course, period shame exists cross-culturally and is created by many different factors, but a decolonial perspective helps us all question the way we think about periods and ask what societal factors might influence this. This is why we have to ask how the sacred became dirty.

The second half of the workshops were filled with creative activities like journaling, drawing, creative writing, and digital collage. One of the best received activities was the collective poem writing about first periods (Image 2). We used the cinquain poem format, starting with one word and increasing one word per line upto 5 then back down again. Participants took turns, each giving the required number of words for their line, about their own lived experience of their first period. Which created a poem that reflected the similarities, differences, fears and relief of getting your period for the first time.

Image 2 - Group poem

Another popular activity was creating the groups’ self-portraits (Image 3). Each participant designed an avatar to look like themself. Then, as a group, we put them together and decided which period products they’d like to include in the image. This allowed for participants to remain anonymous and also create positive representation, something racialised menstruators / menopausers don’t often see.

Image 3  - Group Selfie

We shared the creative outcomes on Instagram, reaching over 60K Instagram followers. With a comment section actually worth reading! Many followers shared stories about first periods, shame and stigma, menstrual product preferences and the need for more open discussion. It was really rewarding to share the outcome with the wider community and it also gave participants a real sense of accomplishment, helping to end period shame. We still have a long way to go but Decolonise Menstruation has dispelled a lot of misinformation, started many conversations, and helped participants feel more comfortable and confident with their periods.

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Creative Outcomes

Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BIPOC communities. Each session had a medical, decolonial and creative element. 

We use creative activities to break down taboos and myths around menstruation and our bodies. Participants drew, wrote poems, designed illustrations and created menstrual product advice “slide-throughs” during the workshops, which were shared on social media, to over 60K Instagram followers. And circulated in participants own communities through WhatsApp groups, to reach those without a social media presence or regular access to the internet.  

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via Bloody Good Period  

Decolonising Menstruation

is a participant-led project that aims to end period shame within the unique experiences of BIPOC communities by unpacking the harmful effects that colonisation has had on Black, Indigenous menstrators and menopausers of colour. Led by the bloody brilliant Diana More, Decolonising Menstruation is a collaboration between Bloody Good Period and Decolonising Contraception, a collective formed by Black people and people of colour working in sexual and reproductive health.

“Decolonising Menstruation aims to create menstrual equity and end period shame, focused within the unique circumstances of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC)* communities in England & Wales. We did this through a series of creative workshops, encouraging participants to be more comfortable with their cycle and themselves and create an outcome that reaches and benefits their wider communities.”- Diana More Find out more about Decolonising Menstruation and the bloody brilliant work that Diana is doing over on our blog:

https://www.bloodygoodperiod.com/…/decolonising…

We’ll be sharing even more information about this collaboration over the upcoming weeks—keep your eyes peeled!

Image ID: Diana lies against a black and white stripey wallpaper, laughing. You can see her from the knees upwards—she’s wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt with a red illustration.

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The bloody brilliant Diana led the Decolonising Menstruation project, a collaboration between Bloody Good Period and Decolonising Contraception, a collective formed by Black people and people of colour working in sexual and reproductive health.

In Part 1 of the Decolonising Menstruation blog series, Diana explored what decolonising menstruation means and why it's so bloody important for creating menstrual equity and ending period shame. In today's Part 2, Diana looks back at the Decolonising Menstruation workshops - a year-long programme funded by The Body Shop - where we put this thinking into action.

This blog is co-written by Diana and BGP blog volunteer Heidi Stedeford.

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Testimonial

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Testimonial from workshop participant

by @nikkibutonline

I read an article yesterday in The Guardian about Berlin’s plans to return bronze sculptures that were looted from Southern Nigeria around 1897. The largest collection are currently being held in the British Museum.

I wrote this during a workshop focused on decolonising menstruation, and it explored the dangerous limits of binary thought in relation to gender identity which was created by the amazing @_dianamore_

Thanks so much for inspiring me.

The British Museum

GIVE IT BACK 🗣

Original post 

[decolonisemenstruation]

Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BIPOC communities. We use creative activities to break down taboos and myths around menstruation and our bodies. One way we did this was to write a group poem using the cinquain format, starting with one word and increasing one word per line upto 5 then back down again. Participants took turns, each contributing as many words as necessary for their line, about their own lived experience of their first period. So the poem reflects, as a group, what it was like to get our first period. An experience nearly half the world has gone through, but something we rarely share with anyone. We also created a group illustration, where each participant designed an avatar to look like them and then they decided which period products they’d like to include.

Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project supported by @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception

This poem and illustration was created during workshops with Xenia xenia.org.uk

Period products were created by Sonia Vico exclusively for DM

Originally posted on DC & BGP 

[decolonisemenstruation]

Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BIPOC communities. We use creative activities to break down taboos and myths around menstruation and our bodies. One way we did this was to write a group poem using the cinquain format, starting with one word and increasing one word per line upto 5 then back down again. Participants took turns, each contributing as many words as necessary for their line, about their own lived experience of their first period. So the poem reflects, as a group, what it was like to get our first period. An experience nearly half the world has gone through, but something we rarely share with anyone. We also created a group illustration, where each participant designed an avatar to look like them and then they decided which period products they’d like to include.

Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project supported by @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception This poem and illustration was created during workshops with Refugee Women refugeewomen.co.uk

Period products were created by Sonia Vico exclusively for DM

Originally posted on DC & BGP 

[decolonisemenstruation]

Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BIPOC communities. We use creative activities to break down taboos and myths around menstruation and our bodies. One way we did this was to write a group poem using the cinquain format, starting with one word and increasing one word per line upto 5 then back down again. Participants took turns, each contributing as many words as necessary for their line, about their own lived experience of their first period. So the poem reflects, as a group, what it was like to get our first period. An experience nearly half the world has gone through, but something we rarely share with anyone. We also created a group illustration, where each participant designed an avatar to look like them and then they decided which period products they’d like to include.

Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project supported by @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception

This poem and illustration was created during workshops with Baobab Women’s Project baobabwomensproject.net 

Period products were created by Sonia Vico exclusively for DM

Originally posted on DC & BGP 

[decolonisemenstruation]

Originally shared on @decolonisingcontraception DC insta & @bloodygoodperiod BGP insta Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BIPOC communities. To figure out the advantages / disadvantages and find out the truth behind some menstrual myths Decolonise Menstruation participants talked about menstrual product options.

This swipe through is an introduction to a selection of some of the advice DM participants have for menstruators thinking of trying a new product. On this week’s series of Decolonise Menstruation we look at participants thoughts on menstrual cups 🩸 Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project between @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception and the asylum seeker and refugee centres, Xenia xenia.org.uk, Baobab Women’s Project baobabwomensproject.net and Women for Refugee Women refugeewomen.co.uk Illustrations by @gracemoore_illustration

[decolonisemenstruation]

Originally posted on Instagram by BGP and DC Has shame, fear of looking foolish, societal norms or anything else, ever stopped you from having a conversation about menstrual products. Do you think you’ve ever missed out on having these conversations with friends, family, coworkers, non menstruators because they didn’t feel comfortable? This week we look at the participants thoughts on reusable pads 🩸 Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BPOC communities. To figure out the advantages / disadvantages and find out the truth behind some menstrual myths Decolonise Menstruation participants talked about menstrual product options. This swipe through is an introduction to a selection of some of the advice DM participants have for menstruators thinking of trying a new product. Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project between @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception Thank you to following asylum seeker and refugee centres, for putting us together with the participants Xenia xenia.org.uk Baobab Women’s Project baobabwomensproject.net Women for Refugee Women refugeewomen.co.ukIllustrations by @gracemoore_illustration

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Repost via • @decolonisingcontraception DC insta & @bloodygoodperiod BGP insta  Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BPOC communities. To figure out the advantages / disadvantages and find out the truth behind some menstrual myths Decolonise Menstruation participants talked about menstrual product options.

This swipe through is an introduction to a selection of some of the advice DM participants have for menstruators thinking of trying a new product. On this week’s series of Decolonise Menstruation we look at participants thoughts on tampons 🩸. Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project between @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception and the asylum seeker and refugee centres, Xenia xenia.org.uk, Baobab Women’s Project baobabwomensproject.net and Women for Refugee Women refugeewomen.co.uk Illustrations by @gracemoore_illustration

🩸Disclaimer when “women” is used We at DM try to avoid saying women or girls when what we mean is menstruators or menopausers. Throughout the workshops we had a lot of discussions on inclusion of all menstruators and transphobia. These topics are new to some of the participants, and as we know it can take a minute to get into the habit of always using inclusive terms. Where women or girl is used in the slide, that is the term that participant used. 

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Repost via • @decolonisingcontraception DC insta & @bloodygoodperiod BGP insta

“Has shame, fear of looking foolish, societal norms or anything else, ever stopped you from having a conversation about menstrual products. Do you think you’ve ever missed out on having these conversations with friends, family, coworkers, non menstruators because they didn’t feel comfortable?” On this week’s series of Decolonise Menstruation we look at participants thoughts on period pants 🩸 #swipethrough. Stay tune for next week’s post as we go through the thoughts of participants on tampons. “Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BPOC communities. To figure out the advantages / disadvantages and find out the truth behind some menstrual myths Decolonise Menstruation participants talked about menstrual product options. This swipe through is an introduction to a selection of some of the advice DM participants have for menstruators thinking of trying a new product.”

Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project between @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception

Thank you to following asylum seeker and refugee centres, for putting us together with the participants Xenia xenia.org.uk Baobab Women’s Project baobabwomensproject.net Women for Refugee Women refugeewomen.co.uk

Illustrations by @gracemoore_illustration

[decolonisemenstruation]

Originally posted on Instagram by BGP and DC

Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BPOC communities. To figure out the advantages / disadvantages and find out the truth behind some menstrual myths Decolonise Menstruation participants talked about menstrual product options. This swipe through is an introduction to a selection of some of the advice DM participants have for mentrusators thinking of trying a new product.

Has shame, fear of looking foolish, societal norms or anything else, ever stopped you from having a conversation about menstrual products. Do you think you’ve ever missed out on having these conversations with friends, family, coworkers, non menstruators because they didn’t feel comfortable? This week we look at the participants thoughts on disposable pads 🩸 Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_  

Decolonising Menstruation is a joint project between Decolonising Contraception and Bloody Good Period We worked with  Baobab Women’s Project: baobabwomensproject.net Women for Refugee Women: refugeewomen.co.uk Xenia: xenia.org.uk Amazing graphics by @gracemoore_illustration

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Get to know period products, part 2

PART 2 Sharing some of the work participants created during Decolonise Menstruation workshops ❤️🩸 Repost via • @decolonisingcontraception DC insta & @bloodygoodperiod BGP insta Decolonise Menstruation🩸is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BPOC communities. To figure out the advantages / disadvantages and find out the truth behind some menstrual myths Decolonise Menstruation participants talked about menstrual product options. This swipe through is an introduction to a selection of some of the advice DM participants have for mentrusators thinking of trying a new product. Has shame, fear of looking foolish, societal norms or anything else, ever stopped you from having a conversation about menstrual products. Do you think you’ve ever missed out on having these conversations with friends, family, coworkers, non menstruators because they didn’t feel comfortable? Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Illustrations by @gracemoore_illustration

Thank you to following asylum seeker and refugee centres, for putting us together with the participants Xenia xenia.org.uk Baobab Women’s Project baobabwomensproject.net Women for Refugee Women refugeewomen.co.uk

Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project between @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception

[decolonisemenstruation]

Get to know period products, part 1

So excited to finally share some of the work participants created during Decolonise Menstruation workshops ❤️🩸 Repost via • @decolonisingcontraception DC insta & @bloodygoodperiod BGP insta Decolonise Menstruation🩸is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BPOC communities. To figure out the advantages / disadvantages and find out the truth behind some menstrual myths Decolonise Menstruation participants talked about menstrual product options. This swipe through is an introduction to a selection of some of the advice DM participants have for mentrusators thinking of trying a new product. Has shame, fear of looking foolish, societal norms or anything else, ever stopped you from having a conversation about menstrual products. Do you think you’ve ever missed out on having these conversations with friends, family, coworkers, non menstruators because they didn’t feel comfortable? Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Illustrations by @gracemoore_illustration

Thank you to following asylum seeker and refugee centres, for putting us together with the participants Xenia xenia.org.uk Baobab Women’s Project baobabwomensproject.net Women for Refugee Women refugeewomen.co.uk

Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project between @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception

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6th workshop vocabulary and links

Vocabulary 

Arbitrary: Meaning it’s determined by chance, whim, or impulse, and not by necessity, reason, or principle.

Crone: (word that has both opposite meanings) n. An old woman considered to be ugly; a hag. n. A woman who is venerated for experience, judgment, and wisdom.

The Crone - story

Fuck your gender norms: how Western colonisation brought unwanted binaries to Igbo culture Gal-Dem article

Male Daughters and Female Husbands Challenging the received orthodoxies of social anthropology, Ifi Amadiume argues that in precolonial society, sex and gender did not necessarily coincide. Examining the structures that enabled women to achieve power, she shows that roles were neither rigidly masculinized nor feminized.

Gender identity: ‘How colonialism killed my culture’s gender fluidity’ - BBC World Service Video

Jacob V Joyce decolonial artist

Who is allowed to be a victim? | Travis Alabanza | TEDxBrum Video Includes the definition of trans we looked at in the workshop

Gendered Intelligence

Menopause

Overview - NHS explanation Symptoms - NHS explanation Treatment  - NHS recommendations

Last story Meet the African tribes where periods are celebrated article