‘Talking openly about menstrual health’

Ms Kaloustian, what motivated you to take part in the #kickTheSTIGMA campaign?

I’m convinced that this will break the taboo on an important health issue. Many people, not only in Zambia, still have problems talking openly about menstruation. During my degree in social epidemiology, I concentrated on the connection between health and social factors such as gender and have developed an awareness for the issue. I was born in the USA and moved to Zambia a year ago. My mother, however, was born and raised in Zambia, and told me how difficult the situation can be, especially for schoolgirls. In rural areas, there are often not enough sanitary facilities. During my visits to schools, I found out that many girls have to stay at home when they have their period. As a result, they miss out on a lot of education in comparison to those who don’t menstruate.

How exactly are you involved?

For example, during outreach we speak to a wide variety of people across communities, including young people, politicians and other public health and human rights advocates about how we can improve the situation. It’s about menstrual health, hygiene and better sanitary facilities. In my opinion, one of the most impactful tactics is simply to get the conversation started around menstruation in order to raise awareness on the issue. I also try to do that in my role as a Zambian national team member. We made a #kickTheStigma video with our team, the Copper Queens, to be positive role models for young girls and women in the face of adversity related to the challenges of dealing with menstruation. We focused on the topic of menstruation in women’s football, but we didn’t limit ourselves to that. We look at the situation in the workplace, in classrooms and in families at home.