NoPeriodShame Campaign
A Global Movement for Menstrual Justice
In 2020, as part of the Swedish Institute’s Creative Force project, BWEN and Wise Economy launched a digital campaign in the Menstrual Hygiene month. This campaign, aptly named #NoPeriodShame, aimed to raise global awareness about menstrual injustice. It served as a bridge, connecting smaller organizations and individuals who are making significant contributions to their communities, and providing a platform for busy activists to get involved and gain recognition through the ‘My Period Is Awesome’ platform.
The genesis of the campaign took place during a work trip to Australia by Shyaka, the founder and captain of BWEN. During a late-night conversation with his friend and colleague at AIME mentoring, Will Wensley, they brainstormed creative ways to involve as many people as possible in the fight against the shame, stigma, and taboos surrounding menstruation. From creating murals to producing TV shows exposing period stories, the ideas were flowing. Inspired by Will’s belief in the power of signs, they decided to create a simple hand sign with a powerful message that everyone in the world could use to show solidarity for the movement and raise awareness.
The hand sign, a V-shape, symbolizes the female reproductive system. Holding your hands close to your heart shows solidarity with girls and women who have been shamed or discriminated against because of a natural body function. This sign became the symbol of the campaign, a conversation starter, and an invitation for everyone to join the fight against period shame.
The #NoPeriodShame campaign kicked off on May 1, 2020, and ran throughout the month. Participation was simple: take a photo with the hand sign, post it on social media, and tag #noperiodshame and @myperiodisawesome. The ultimate goal was to create a movement of #PeriodProud and #PeriodSupportive people, helping those involved in the campaign understand that period shame and period shaming affect the equal enjoyment of human rights and daily life participation for those affected.
The campaign was a resounding success, reaching over 650,000 people online and involving participants from 17 countries and Swedish Embassies in five African countries. Influential profiles, organizations, embassies, and civilians worldwide joined in, helping to raise awareness for period shaming and promote period positivity.
The #NoPeriodShame campaign was another testament to the power of collective action and the role of creativity in advocacy. It was a step towards a world where every individual can embrace their menstrual health without fear or shame.