UAntwerp is concerned about period poverty. That is why we organised an information session about period poverty, shame and health.
Breaking taboos by addressing menstrual poverty and shame is partly why UAntwerp decided to offer free menstrual products. To help achieve this goal, we organised an informative afternoon to discuss menstrual poverty, shame and health. We have done this by inviting experts, those with lived experiences, and policymakers.
Panel Discussion
Three presentations and a panel discussion were scheduled for the afternoon. Valerie Clinkemalie and Esmaralda Frederickx from 'Behind Endo (Stories) vzw' were the first to kick things off. They told us about their organisation, which aims to dispel misinformation about endometriosis. Endometriosis is a gynaecological disorder in which cells of the lining of the womb, that normally line the inside of the uterus, also appear on the outside.
A panel discussion on period poverty followed. Tom Meeuws (Antwerp town alderman for poverty reduction), Loes Vanderfeesten (DRUPP vzw), Dorien Van Haute (anti-poverty organisation Caritas) and Yanni Deneweth (Vrouwenraad vzw), among others, answered many pressing questions: What is period poverty? Can we follow the ambitious example of Scotland where free menstrual products are provided in all public facilities? What about menstrual leave? And how do we address the undeniable gender dimension of poverty?
What is usual?
Rebecca Verhofstede's Period Talk helped us better understand, experience and interpret our bodies and cycles. What is a 'normal' period, and when do you know you have a problem? How can you keep track of and maintain a healthy menstrual cycle?
Sarah Ahannach (UAntwerp) from Isala concluded the afternoon. Isala is a research project that maps the vaginal microbiome and the impact of lifestyle and environmental factors. How do millions of vaginal bacteria affect your health?