Tales, Taboos, and Triumphs
Guess who’s back?!
Your favorite globetrotter with a penchant for trouble! I decided to (unsuccessfully) ditch the editing desk because let's be real, my real life is way too juicy not to spill the tea. Just last week, I was livin’ la vida loca in Ethiopia when this smoking hot guy caught my eye. Next thing I knew, we were... Oops, getting ahead of myself! You will have to keep reading to find out what sort of shenanigans I got up to.
In this newsletter, we are taking a sneak peek at What Women Wish and also diving deep into the critically important yet often overlooked topic of Menstrual Health Education. And of course, no Her Story newsletter would be complete without our signature Sexual Health Corner. This month, we have cooked up some steamy insight that will have you fanning yourself. Just wait until you see what we have in store! But hey, we know life isn't just about the juicy stuff. We are also bringing you the hottest Community News to keep you in the loop. Plus, a curated selection of Exciting Opportunities just for you! So, buckle up, because it's about to get wild!
Menstrual Hygiene Day
Every three market days, there’s a cry on the internet for women to censor period conversations. Or just not even talk about it. Gruesome murders can be vividly described but a biological process is where we draw the line. However, this didn’t just start today. Think of all the words your mother used to describe menstruation to you; “Aunty Flo,” “Monthly Visitor”, “Red friend,” and so on just to avoid saying the word period or menstruation. Just thinking about how young girls walk in and out of a store like they are going to commit crimes when they are simply trying to purchase pads leaves me with a headache. This is period shaming at its peak. Simply put, period shame is stigma or discrimination faced by people who menstruate. The effects of period stigma is numerous, from keeping adolescent girls out of schools to women avoiding social contact during their periods.
It is important for us to help curb period shame and we can start by;
Abandoning Period Euphemisms: Call this biological process by its name; period or menstruation. Hushing the name gives the feeling that there is something to be ashamed of. Call it what it is.
Complain About Your Periods: Shout it from the rooftops! Yes, the same way you complain about Yoruba men every 30 seconds, do that with your period. Sharing about your symptoms or cravings help normalize conversations about periods.
Educate EVERYONE: Believe it or not, there is a lot of miseducation about periods and this gap in knowledge fuels period shaming. At every given opportunity you should educate people (especially men) about periods.
Always remember, there is nothing shameful about having periods. Happy World Menstrual Hygiene Day!
We Want to Know
What Women Wish
Four years after #MeToo, women's safety is still secondary to men's feelings. The notion that women would rather face a bear than a man highlights the grim reality of gender-based violence. Yet, some prioritize men's feelings over women's well-being, perpetuating a harmful dynamic.
On International Day of the Boy Child (May 16), we reminded men to take ownership of their own advocacy. The narrative that "no one cares about the Boy Child" is a tired and false trope. Women have long carried the burden of advocacy; now it's time for men to step up. Women wish for a world where women's safety surpasses men's feelings in importance.
Sexual Health Corner
Okay, grab a fan because this month's Sexual Health Corner is about to get steamy! Back to my gist about that gorgeous Ethiopian hunk I mentioned earlier. Yes, the one who had me utterly whipped from the moment we locked eyes. Well, when we finally had our moment alone together, things didn't quite go as planned in the bedroom department. I won't get too graphic, but let's just say there was an unfortunate case of a very enthusiastic player failing to make it onto the field, if you know what I mean?
I mean, in the heat of the moment, Moses’s rod refused to enter the promised land (hot tearssssssss). I was flat out embarrassed and the fact that this guy kept suggesting I’m a lesbian was not helping matters. As the Sabi Girl that I am, I went straight to Google to run a quick search and that’s when I discovered I was experiencing a totally normal condition called vaginismus. Long story short, vaginismus occurs when your vaginal muscles tense up right before any kind of penetration, making entry very difficult and sometimes impossible. For the full scoop on this condition, click here. If you have experienced this or know someone who has, feel free to share with me.
In Case You Missed It
Book Lovers Hangout
Bibliophiles, unite! Our yearly Book Lovers Hangout is back with a little extra pizzazz. This time we are diving into the bestselling novel “We Were Girls Once” by Aiwanose Odafen. We will be convening at a soon-to-be disclosed venue in Lagos and trust me, you do not want to miss this juicy discussion happening in June! Interested bookworms should sign up here.
Speaking Club Launch
Become a master communicator and public speaker! Our Virtual Speaking Club aims to equip individuals, especially women and girls, with public speaking skills, leadership development, and deeper knowledge about women's rights issues. The club kicks off on the 15th of June with a free workshop open to all. Register now to reserve your spot.
New Grant Alert!
Her Story Nigeria has just been awarded a grant by the Youth Climate Convening Grant provided by the Urban Movement Innovation Fund. This grant will fund a Climate Adaptation Workshop where we will train 50 women on climate adaptation strategies in a rural community in Nigeria.
Opportunities Corner
Article Feature of The Month
The Weaker Vessel? by Rita Ese Taga
Growing up in Africa, Nigeria precisely, I always thought the role of a Chief Executive Officer was strictly reserved for men. This perception was further reinforced by movies I watched during my childhood, which predominantly portrayed male CEOs while relegating women to housewife roles — tending to the home and raising children. Read more.
Annnnnnnd, it’s a wrap!
Sadly, it’s time to go but rest assured I will be back with more scandalous tales in the next edition of The Monthly Recounting. Till then, stay hydrated, keep choosing the bear and keep breaking the stigma around periods.
Written by TamaraTari Alakiri & Praise Okeoghene Vandeh
Edited by Oreoluwa Ojo
One thing we do at #herstory is have great and impactful conversations!
Good job with the newsletter. Thank you for the suspense and interesting style used in publicly discussing the vital vaginismus issue.