What I Know Now. You Should Too It all started drastically with no warning sign. Others had whispered through the classroom walls about how they were using sanitary pads and that you could be unhurt but still bleed. There was some excitement to it—puberty—but little did we know it was to be a shift to…
Talking Positively about the Talk
The adolescent in me was giddy when I read the topic of this essay because, for her, it meant this was a do over. I could say to her all the things that she needed to hear. Today, I am a 24-year-old woman. I have come close but have not yet had (penetrative) sex. This…
Breaking the Silence around Periods this Menstrual Hygiene Day
In recognition of Menstrual Hygiene Day, we are raising awareness about the objective of making menstruation an accepted part of life by 2030. It is our goal to create a future in which menstruation is no longer a barrier in society. Over 2.3 billion people in the world do not have access to basic sanitation…
Period Tracker Apps: Managing your period and Why it’s Important
Tracking your menstrual or period cycle is about keeping track of when you menstruate and writing down details about your cycle. The process used to be done with a calendar and a pen, but there are now many excellent period-tracking apps that simplify it greatly. In fact, more than 100 million women worldwide have used…
A gay pastor’s kid!
How do you tell a traditional Zulu dad who is a pastor that you are GAY? Let me tell you about my dad. My dad is a pastor and I’m his first daughter. He is the kind of man that does everything according to culture. I may be wearing leggings today, but I made sure…
Let’s celebrate love safely and responsibly this Valentine’s Day
A few days ago, I went to my neighbourhood shopping centre, and I could not believe it was already that time of the year when my eyes are obstructed by red and white colours. I was reminded that February is the month of love. February 14, known as Valentine’s Day, has been historically marked by…
A burning, necessary conversation
One fateful afternoon when I was 10 years old, I heard about sex for first time. Our fifth-grade teacher announced that she wanted to have a ‘talk’ with the girls after school. “As you can all see, your bodies are changing, you’re growing breasts and your hips are widening,” she said. “Very soon you will…
Let’s Talk About THE TALK!
I grew up on the outskirts of the big city of Blantyre, Malawi, and was brought up in an extended family. Every night after supper we sat by the fire. I would tell my grandma how my day at school went. She always listened to everything I said, about all the things I learnt in…