More Than Just a Period: The Silent Struggles and Strength of Menstruating Girls and Women
By Itunuoluwa Bilesanmi Every month, for billions of women and girls across the globe, a silent rhythm flows beneath the surface of daily life — menstruation. It's natural, essential, and universal. Yet for many, it remains surrounded by stigma, misinformation, and neglect. While society moves forward with technological advancements and gender equality campaigns, the period still pauses the lives of millions in painful and silent ways. The First Flow For 14-year-old Zainab Yusuf, her first period came as a shock. "I thought I was injured," she recalled with a shy smile. "Nobody told me what to expect. I was scared." Zainab, like many girls in rural communities in Nigeria, had not received proper menstrual education. It wasn’t until her mother explained that it was part of growing up that she began to understand. In many parts of the world, menstruation is still treated as a taboo topic — not to be discussed openly. This lack of open conversation leads to confusi...