An estimate of 30% of South African school girls in underprivileged areas miss out on school during their period. I interviewed a few learners from Siyamukela High School in Ulundi KwaZulu Natal to find out how their period affects their education.

What are some of the theories and rumours you have heard about menstruation?
Student A: I only know that it is my bodys’ way of telling me that I am not pregnant.
Student B: My grandmother says that it is a spiritual thing that happens when a womans body cleans itself.
Student C: That it happens only to young women who are not pregnant.

How does being on your period make you feel?
Student A: It makes me feel dirty and embarrassed. I cannot always afford to buy pads. Sometimes I must stay at home until I get pads, or my period is over.
Student B: It makes me feel sad and anxious because I experience extremely painful period cramps. I get sick when I am on my period and cannot walk or keep anything down. I have to stay in bed all day and wait for the cramps to go away.
Student C: It makes me feel dirty and anxious because I cannot go out in public. If I, do I have to check for leaks. I feel like everyone is watching me and laughing at me.

Do you have enough pads/tampons for your period?
Student A: Not always. I cannot always afford to buy them.
Student B: Most of the time.
Student C: No, I have a heavy flow, so I run out of pads very quickly. My mother cannot afford to buy me enough for my whole period.

What has happened to you in situations where you did not have pads or tampons for your period?
Student A: My grandmother made me pads from an old sponge and fabric. I use them when I do not have pads. They do not offer much protection and I usually have to change and wash them after a few hours.
Student B: I use toilet paper.
Student C: I use whatever I have at the time, usually old t-shirts, or toilet paper.

Do you ever miss school or events because of you period? How does that make you feel?
Student A: Yes. It makes me feel dirty and embarrassed because everyone knows I am on my period and sometimes they laugh at me.
Student B: Yes. It makes me feel upset because I get very sick.
Student C: Yes. It makes me feel ashamed because being on your period is embarrassing especially when you cannot afford pads, people make fun of you when you have a period stain.

Listening to these young girls talk about their period struggles was shocking and disappointing. These girls are missing out on their education and are vulnerable to infections during their period.