Menstruation is ‘nothing to be ashamed of’
Meet Catherine, a young student from West Samar who advocates for girls and women to escape the stigma surrounding menstruation. With the Filipino-designed Oky period tracking app in her pocket, she hopes to make the app known to more girls in her community to help them gain access to important menstrual health information and counter period myths, taboos, and stigma.
For sixteen-year-old Catherine, women empowerment and education are the 2 advocacies that are closest to her heart. According to her, while her personal dream is ever-changing, what remains constant is her mission to serve and help those in need, driven by her Roman Catholic faith.
Growing up in her hometown of Catbalogan City, West Samar, she often heard the beliefs that people had about menstruation, including one about girls not being allowed to shower during their period.
“It devastates me to see misconceptions and false information spread about menstruation because it has a lasting effect on women and can harm them,” said Catherine.
When she later encountered the Oky period tracker and menstrual health app during a school orientation, she was instantly drawn to the app’s girl-friendly designs. But in time, it was the free menstrual tracker and other educational features that locked in her interest.
Period tracking and learning with Oky
“The app is so interesting and cute. It gave me a deeper understanding of how my menstrual cycle works – if it was regular or irregular. Not only was I able to learn more about my body and its natural processes, but I was also able to track it both by period and my mood. It’s super beneficial and has made a positive impact on my life,” shared the young student.
Catherine now regularly uses the Oky app, checking in a few times during the week to update her mood tracker and log how her body feels for the day. She also expressed the benefits of the built-in encyclopedia, which allows her to deepen her knowledge of sexual and reproductive health facts.
“Instead of succumbing to the stigma, I have chosen to face it head on. I refuse to let fear and ignorance dictate how I perceive my own body and natural process.”
Catherine, on how she deals with the period taboo culture
“As a young girl living in a community where talking about menstruation is often frowned upon, I have felt the weight of silence pressuring me. But instead of succumbing to the stigma, I have chosen to face it head on. I refuse to let fear and ignorance dictate how I perceive my own body and natural process.” These were Catherine’s powerful words about the impact of Oky.
She further believes that the app should be made known to women of any age as it opens doors and broadens knowledge horizons.
“I believe all women and young girls deserve the right to embrace her body and menstruation with pride and confidence. Our bodies are miraculous, and menstruation is part of that natural miracle. It is nothing to be ashamed of or feared. Rather, it is something to be celebrated,” she said.
About the Oky app
The Oky Philippines app, supported by the Australian Government, is a joint product of the Department of Health, Department of Education, Commission on Population and Development, the National Youth Commission, and the Bangsamoro Government, together with UNICEF and in partnership with Plan International.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights, Comprehensive sexuality education, Menstruation, Sexual and reproductive health services
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