Mensplain- Menstruation Explained by Non-Menstruators

Summary

Each day, over 800 million women and girls between the ages of 15 to 49 are menstruating, and yet there is still this global phenomenon of deep shame and stigma around menstruation. The project Period Portraits created the playful short film entitled Mensplain or думmenstruation explainedдуќ to showcase the wide range of perspectives of non-menstruators, and their thoughts of menstruation. They may think they know everything about periods, but when directly asked maybe they are not quite so sure. This is not their fault. Yes, in a sense we are making light of the situation, but it is not to be cruel. It is to highlight how disconnected we are in the information we share about menstrual health and sexual reproductive health, and how there is such a big gap in the information being shared across the gender spectrum. We must work to give everyone equal access to menstrual health knowledge in order to move the needle on gender equity. Director: Carly Snowden for Period Portraits; Producer and Writer: Tara Pokras, Founder of Period Portraits; Producer and Writer: Brooke Savage for Period Portraits

Background/Objectives

The project Period Portraits created the playful short film entitled Mensplain or думmenstruation explainedдуќ to showcase the wide range of perspectives of non-menstruators, and their thoughts of menstruation. The objectives of the film are to:
 -    To spark a conversation around a very stigmatized and taboo subject in a playful and accessible way
 -    To showcase the drastic knowledge gaps in menstrual health
 -    To reduce the stigma of menstruation and normalize menstrual health 
 -    To develop a platform for people to share their experiences around menstrual health and sexual reproductive health

Results/Lessons Learned

The short film has been a huge success and has been shared widely across social media platforms globally. Additionally, it was selected for Women Deliverду»s 2019 Film Festival. The main lessons learned is that there are still major gaps in knowledge around menstrual health and sexual reproductive health. Men and non-menstruators are interested in learning, but we need to create the space for them to join the conversation. Menstruation will continue to be stigmatized until we can normalize the conversations around the subject matter and menstruation can be included in the conversation around sexual reproductive health

Discussion/Implications For The Field

Men and non-menstruators need to be included in the conversation around menstrual health and sexual reproductive health. There needs to be more learning opportunities for them and allow them the space to ask questions in a supportive environment. Men and non-menstruators need to be cultivated as allies in order to reach gender equity. Ultimately, the deeply rooted social stigmas and misconceptions around menstruation will have negative impact on a woman throughout their lives. By normalizing menstruation, we are lifting up economies, government systems and making society a more equitable place for all.

Abstract submitted by:

Tara Pokras  - The George Washington University