Breaking down period stigma in remote communities

Hoping to break down the stigma of talking about periods, researchers have developed a teaching guide on menstrual health for remote Indigenous communities. "We're talking about a biological process," University of Queensland school of public health adjunct lecturer Minnie King told AAP. "It is a basic human right to menstruate with dignity and have access to support mechanisms including infrastructure and pain relief." Ms King and associate professor Nina Lansbury worked with students in the western Cape York Peninsula to understand what they wanted to know about menstrual health. Dr Lansbury and Ms King co-designed with community, the 'Mind your body' guide, which includes interactive resources like quizzes, puzzles, classroom activities and conversation starters. Ms King, a Kaiwalagal, Umaii and Kiwai woman, who lives in the western cape says the students, schools and wider community in the region have embraced the project. "They obviously saw the need for improvement in health literacy ... ultimately so they can advocate for oneself," she said. Dr Lansbury says engaging in conversations around menstrual health can help remove any stigma. "Menstrual health can impact a student's academic performance, health and quality of life," Dr Lansbury said. "Stigma or shame around a topic that is just biology holds us back from being able to share knowledge." Ms King said the project has been eight years in the making and already there's been some positive shifts in attitudes. "The more we talk about this, the more it becomes part of acceptance and understanding," she said. "This is a lifetime of awareness for students leaving school, and it's not just for the girls, the boys are actually receiving the exact same science and biology on menstrual health as the girls." Ms King said there's also been interest from remote communities across the country, but the guide could be used to teach all students about menstrual health. "So much of what is out there in today's world that is portrayed, it can be superficial and external," she said. "Mind your body is actually about taking a look inside, creating a safe space, a culturally safe space and inclusive space. "This is about taking care of oneself and what happens biologically .... for anyone who menstruates."