Talking about periods: Ending shame and building understanding for every child

Menstruation, or having a period, is a normal monthly experience for millions of women, girls, transgender men and non-binary persons around Australia. And although it is a natural part of life, it somehow still carries shame and stigma, particularly for young girls, which can significantly affect their mental health and wellbeing. 

In this episode, host Nadia Rossi is joined by Rochelle Courtney, who is more affectionately known as the ‘Pad Lady’. Rochelle is the founder of Share the Dignity and has made it her mission to ensure that no one who menstruates has to choose between food and period products.  

Rochelle talks about the reality of period poverty and how we can better educate our children with the right language about periods to eliminate shame and stigma while supporting their mental health and wellbeing. 

In this episode you will learn: 

• How important it is to educate all children about periods and how using the right language can be empowering for them and the adults in their lives  [00:5:20].
• About period poverty and how it can affect the mental health and wellbeing of those experiencing it [00:22:33].
• How everyone can help to eliminate the shame and stigma that surrounds period poverty [00:26:00].

Further information and resources:

Share the dignity  

Connection and belonging