29/05/2026
Imagine🤔: You are in the middle of a sports match or a busy school day when you suddenly feel a leak, or the sharp, familiar pain of cramps sets in.
For many young girls, this exact moment triggers a rush of panic, shame, and an overwhelming urge to run home and hide. That fear is a major reason why so many girls drop out of sports and skip classes when they reach puberty.
Yesterday , was Menstrual Hygiene Day, As partners we set out to replace that panic with confidence.
Alongside our partners, Sport In Action and NOWSPAR, we brought together 100 girls from five Lusaka secondary schools-Bauleni, Takamado, Nyumba Yanga, Woodlands A, and Woodlands B to openly discuss the topics society so often tells them to hide.
Moving Beyond Lectures
Instead of dry lectures, our sessions focused on real-life essentials:
Body & Health: Understanding the menstrual cycle, boosting body confidence, and prioritizing nutrition and mental health.
Practical Realities: Navigating periods at school and during sports.
Most importantly, the girls tackled the exact situations they usually struggle with in silence:
1. How to confidently talk to a coach or teacher about their period.
2.How to handle unexpected leaks without a shred of shame.
3.How to build a personal period emergency kit.
The Bottom Line: When girls are equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and confidence to understand their bodies, we protect far more than just their health we protect their right to participate.
A monthly cycle should never be the reason a girl drops out of school, misses practice, or walks away from the game she loves.