Amika George guest edits menstruation issue of Assembly

(Courtesy of Amika George)

The 19-year-old menstruation activist writes about her fight to end period poverty around the world.

My name is Amika George. Two years ago, when I was 17 years old, I learned that many girls in the U.K. miss school every month because they can’t afford the cost of menstrual products. It made me angry that a natural bodily function prevents girls — my age or younger — from going to school and achieving their dreams. These girls are too poor to manage their periods and it seemed that the government cared too little to help them. 

In between my classes and homework, I started a campaign from my bedroom called Free Periods to raise awareness about period poverty. I began lobbying the government to provide free menstrual products in all schools and colleges to ensure that no girl has to sacrifice her education because of her period. 

(Courtesy of Leonn Ward / RSA)

After a peaceful protest in London, countless meetings with ministers and an impending legal challenge against Parliament, the U.K. government pledged in March 2019 to meet our campaign demands. Starting in early 2020, every student in England will have access to free period products in schools. Now, no girl in the U.K. will have to compromise on her education because she can’t afford to manage her period. 

We're proud of our success — but this is just the beginning of our campaign. Period poverty affects girls in every community and every country. Access to menstrual products is a right for all and not a privilege for the few. I want to live in a world where periods are no longer met with silence, stigma and taboo. And instead girls refuse to be ashamed and embarrassed of their bodies.

I’m thrilled to be guest editing this issue of Assembly that focuses on menstruation and how it affects girls’ ability to go to school. Today, I ask Malala about girls’ education and periods, and why we need to keep fighting for the rights of girls everywhere. We debunk common myths about menstruation around the world. Girls from Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Malaysia and more tell us about their first periods to help destigmatise menstruation. We share a statistic about how often girls in South Asia miss school because of their periods. And we highlight the work of young female activists who are championing menstrual management in their home countries.

I hope you find this issue of Assembly as inspiring and uplifting as I do!