Girl Workshops.

Workshops for female learners are structured according to the girls’ ages and stages of life.

Workshops for older learners (Grades 10-12), aim to build self-esteem, reflect on shared life experiences and encourage body positivity. The group discussions are centred around management of menstruation, experiences of gender-based violence and the impact these have on self-esteem and the perception of one’s body.

The workshops for younger female learners (Grades 8-9) focus on the physiology of gender and biological sex. The aim is to provide practical guidance on the management of menstruation cycles. Together, we explore various misconceptions surrounding menstruation and gender.

During these workshops, both age groups receive reusable sanitary kits.

Boy Workshops.

Male learners are an important demographic to consider in our endeavours.

Older male learners (Grades 10-12) attend workshops where we discuss the various definitions of violence and reproductive health in the hope of exposing how discriminatory acts against menstruation can be seen as a form of violence.

Workshops designed for younger male learners (Grades 8 - 9) centre around the definitions of, and differences between, gender and biological sex. These workshops further explore the problematic nature of gender conformity and how stereotypical expectations regarding masculinity can negatively manifest in male behaviour.

Train-the-trainer Workshops.

In our ‘train-the-trainer’ workshops, we equip adults who teach adolescents (teachers, sports coaches, community leaders, etc.) with the knowledge and confidence they need to discuss important topics around menstruation and sexual health with young boys and girls. In the sessions, we cover topics around menstruation, teenage pregnancy, period poverty, and gender-based violence. We also give the the leaders reusable pad kits that they can distribute in their communities.

The train-the trainer workshops have an additional focus how to facilitate discussions around these topics. We give each adult a Periods for Hope facilitators manual, which was specifically designed as a resource to aid individuals who work with adolescents and young adults to guide discussions around menstruation and sexual health. We want them to feel empowered to hold space for these discussions in their daily interactions with students to break the taboos around menstruation and fight gender-based violence.

We view this approach as pivotal to our future impact and helping Periods for Hope create more sustainable positive change in communities going forward.