FemmeProjects starts a new cycle of information

Why do we shy away from talking about menstruating? Are we ashamed? Are we shy? Can you believe that in 2018 many of us remain embarrassed about our monthly cycles? Well, FemmeProjects is breaking the silence. It’s time to debunk the myths, to speak clearly and proudly about our cycles. With its new campaign called Cycles, FemmeProjects aims to open a space for free discussion and the sharing of menstrual experiences. It wants to create an opportunity for mentors to share their wisdom with, and learn from, young people who are coming of age.

Cycles, in a nutshell, is a campaign to tell menstruating people that it is okay to talk about it; that it is okay to ask questions and seek answers and that is okay to own body, your reproductive system, your sexuality and your life. To date, FemmeProjects has worked with more than 4000 learners from under-resourced schools in the Western Cape, and has provided mentorship to high schools located in urban and rural areas. The NGO continues to provide comprehensive sexual education.

Co-founder of FemmeProjects Kim Windvogel says, “We have learnt that parents and adults often refuse to talk about sexuality with children because they fear that they will encourage ‘sinful’ behavior. In fact we should be encouraging engagement on this subject so that our children are informed and with this information they have agency over their sexual and reproductive health”.

In addition to inviting people to share their personal stories about menstruating and gender, FemmeProjects has invited artists and designers to create art and products for the campaign. All products have a connection with the menstrual cycle and the reproductive system. Visual artist, Lady Skollie designed an exclusive T-shirt for this campaign that celebrates the vulva. All products will be on sale and proceeds will go towards FemmeProjects’ Cycles fund to educate learners about sex and menstruation; and to provide young learners with hygienic bodily care.

The campaign features South African celebrities and connectors including KFM breakfast presenters Sherlin Barends, ELLE digital content manager Palesa Kgasane, South African actress Denise Newman and Lady Skollie. With photographs and mini-documentaries, FemmeProjects aims to grow awareness of the campaign via social media, newspapers and magazines; and to generate connection with a larger national and international audience. We have enlisted like-minded, empowered people who are leaders in their communities to share their personal menstrual stories while wearing the local brands’ products.

These stories and products will become the focal points of the campaign so that FemmeProjects can continue to trailblaze the conversations young learners crave to have with informed mentors.

Visit www.femmeprojects.org.za to find out more about this campaign that will launch on the 28th of May 2018.

We have more posters and original pictures, without writing, available if you may need it.

Here is a link to our teaser:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UbyrrFRqPD5QuvkiRE-sWah0t-2-noMb/view?usp=sharing More videos will be released for the duration of the campaign.

Photographer Rizqua Barnes