Two Indonesian teens discuss why their country needs better menstrual health education — Assembly

Sarah Savitri interviews period poverty activist Alisha Syakira Triawan on how Indonesia can end its stigma around menstruation.

In Indonesia, shame and stigma surround menstruation. Our society considers menstruators dirty and impure. These beliefs limit us from doing certain jobs and prevent us from attending many rituals or cultural events. Menstruators across the country don’t have access to the products or education they need to manage their periods.

As a teen in Indonesia, I have experienced verbal bullying about my period many times. Boys will make a joke of my menstruation saying, “Clean all your blood, you are disgusting,” or “How are you even still alive even though you lost so much blood?”

Around the world, youth activists are working to end the stigma around menstruation and eliminate period poverty. But speaking out as a young person in conservative areas of Indonesia can be difficult. Students who stand up for such issues are often ostracized by their friends and family for breaking social norms. They are told that they don’t know anything about the world or that they’re only looking for attention.

Despite these challenges, 16-year-old activist Alisha Syakira Triawan still fights to end menstruation poverty and stigma in our community. She is the founder and leader of the Jakarta chapter of the youth-led organization PERIOD. Alisha and her teams are at the forefront of changing these unendurable stigmas around menstruation in our community.

I wanted to learn more about their activism, so I sat down with Alisha to talk to her about how it feels to be a teenage menstrual activist and organizer in a conservative country. I hope our conversation will help inspire young people to believe that everyone can also make a positive change and impact, including in the terms of menstruation.

Sarah Savitri (SS): Tell me about your work with the organization PERIOD and about how you founded the Jakarta chapter. What types of projects do you work on?

Alisha Syakira Triawan (AST): PERIOD is an international and youth-powered nonprofit organization that works to end menstruation poverty and menstruation stigma through service, education and advocacy. Each chapter usually has one pillar to focus on, but PERIOD @ Jakarta decided to mix all pillars together in every project. For example, we distributed menstrual products for homeless girls and women, State University of Jakarta students, orphans and scavengers. At the same time, we also taught them how to fight for their menstrual rights. During the Women’s March Jakarta, we distributed menstrual products for those in needs, including transgender and laborers, while we also advocated for menstrual rights and campaigned to end period poverty and period stigma.

SS: Do you interact with the other chapters of PERIOD around the world? How does being part of a network of young menstrual activists help your work?

AST: Usually chapters interact with each other on social media, especially Instagram. They like our posts, tag us in posts and leave us supportive comments. What I notice the most when it comes to the advantage of being a part of a young menstrual activist network is that I feel more empowered and enthusiastic. I sometimes get inspired to do other menstrual projects by seeing how powerful other young menstrual activists from other countries are!

In Indonesia, there are not many menstrual activists, especially youth menstrual activists. I usually talk to my reflection in the mirror and say, “Indonesia, it’s your time to have a powerful menstrual activist!” Then I jump into formulating the chapter plan. I always feel like I have to make every member (including me) of PERIOD @ Jakarta feel more powerful so we can create impact.

“Around the world, youth activists are working to end the stigma around menstruation and eliminate period poverty. But speaking out as a young person in conservative areas of Indonesia can be difficult.”

— Sarah Savitri

SS: How does period poverty and period stigma affect girls in Indonesia?

AST: The definition of period poverty is inadequate access to hygienic and proper menstrual products. It can also include lack of access to proper menstrual education. So period poverty means that girls can’t access pads that are hygienic, safe and proper to use and they don’t have the knowledge to handle their cycles. It affects not only girls from low-income families, but all girls can be affected, including me and you.

In Indonesia, as we can see, there are girls who don't know that the sanitary pads they just bought have expired. There are many girls who still don’t have information about how to manage or use their pads and how many times they have to change their pads. It’s related to poor reproductive health education.

Additionally, most schools still don’t provide menstrual products and sanitizer in school bathrooms for girls who suddenly or unexpectedly have their periods. For some girls in Indonesia, getting enough pads each month can be super difficult. When I distributed sanitary pads to homeless women, I realized that there are still some women who use traditional wrapped towels to cover the blood. This is a concern because it’s harder to make sure the wrapped towel is sterile.

SS: Can you talk about the stigma around menstruation in our society?

AST: We still face menstrual bullying when we have a menstrual leak. We are still told not to talk about anything related to menstruation to non-menstruators because it’s too private or because they think it’s related to pornography. Every month, most of my friends still have to hide their pads in their sleeves or bags. It would be a disaster for them if they wanted to buy pads and the seller was a man. Using menstrual products besides pads can also be controversial. Some people judge menstrual cups and forbid girls who haven’t married from using them even though they are more environmentally friendly than disposable pads.

Our society still stigmatizes menstruation mostly because we still lack sex education, including menstrual education, so many people in our society judge everything about reproduction and gender as forbidden, private and pornographic.

“Additionally, most schools still don’t provide menstrual products and sanitizer in school bathrooms for girls who suddenly or unexpectedly have their periods. For some girls in Indonesia, getting enough pads each month can be super difficult.”

— Alisha Syakira Triawan

SS: What things can the government, schools and families do to help end the stigma around menstruation in Indonesia?

AST: My request is simple: please provide menstrual education in communities and school. For parents and those who have younger siblings who will menstruate, please don’t hesitate to start to talk and teach about menstruation. Tell your child and your siblings that they don’t have to be ashamed about menstruation. I think the most effective way to defeat any negative stigma around periods.

SS: Why did you decide to get involved in the menstruation movement?

AST: It’s rooted in things that I have faced before, during and after my menarche. I didn’t even know how to open the packaging of pads when I first had my menarche. I didn’t know how to use it. I didn’t know how to clean it. I didn’t know how many times I had to change it or how to behave when I got a leak. Before my menarche, I’ve faced some girls who made me jokes because I hadn’t had my period when almost all girls in school already had. I even asked myself whether I’m really a woman or not. After my menarche, I was also told don’t talk much about your period and hide the pads in your sleeves because it’s super shameful. I’ve faced these things and it’s sad to know that these issues haven’t ended yet.

SS: We live in a quite conservative area. How do you manage to keep doing your activism even though society can label your work as controversial?

AST: Sometimes I don’t listen to those who only want to drag me down. I try to be determined and consistent in what I’ve been campaigning for. I only listen to those who truly care and if their advice makes sense. I’ve struggled with mild mental health issues because of people’s judgement. Now, I try to be myself and focus on campaigning and positive circumstances.

SS: What do you think of period inclusivity? How can menstruators and non-menstruators create a better environment for all menstruators?

AST: I am most comfortable using the term “menstruator” for those who menstruate instead of using a gendered term because I believe not all women menstruate and not all who menstruate are women. There needs to be awareness from society to break the taboos, break the stigma, provide free menstrual products for those in need and not judge genders.

SS: Is there a moment from your activism that really stands out to you?

AST: PERIOD @ Jakarta participated in Women’s March Jakarta 2020. We distributed pads to those in needs, including a transgender person who used the pronouns he/him. My heart melted when he thanked us and supported our period inclusivity campaign. In Indonesia, LGBTQ+ issues are quite controversial and it was wonderful to know that our menstruation movement can make an impact too for him.

SS: I heard that you were super introverted. How do you overcome your shyness and speak out for menstrual equality?

AST: Not only am I super introverted but I am also a shy person. It has been my personal issue for all my life. Sometimes in some moments, people can still notice that I’m nervous when I speak out. I overcome it by telling myself that the urgency of ending this issue is much more crucial than my nervousness. I also challenge myself to one day become a person that every introvert can look up to when they think they can’t do anything because of their shyness.

SS: What is your message about menstruation for other young women around the world?

AST: Please stand with me to defeat period poverty and period stigma. These are not only issues in certain parts of the world but global issues. Never be ashamed of your menstruation. It’s super normal and is not dirty. You don’t have to hide your menstrual products on your sleeve anymore. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Ask your parents or teachers if they can give you a menstruation talk every time you need it. If you’re privileged enough, don’t hesitate to help those fellow girls in need to have enough menstrual products.

We have edited and condensed this interview for clarity.

Sarah Savitri

is a 17-year-old Indonesian author and journalist who has written articles and short stories for local and digital newspapers with her pen name. She is passionate about gender equality and human rights and enjoys highlighting the work of other teenagers in her community.