Why I am throwing my daughter a Period Party

By Julia Brake-Smith, Senior Advisor - Adolescent Programming

On this Menstrual Hygiene Day, Positive Youth Development expert Julia Smith-Brake reflects on why marking this occasion is important to adolescent development.

Two weeks before my daughter's twelfth birthday, she got her first period. We hugged, and smiled, she broke out the period kit that had been waiting for her, and we shed a happy tear together at this next stage of her development. And we started planning the party. My girl never misses a chance to celebrate, especially if it includes the chance of getting a gift!

Adolescence is a time of intense transition, second only to infancy, as young people experience neurological, physical, emotional, and social changes at an immense rate. Menstruation is perhaps one of the most overt signs of transition into adolescence, and a young menstruating person’s experience of their period can deeply impact their feelings of confidence, safety, and health.

 Rather than seeing adolescence as a “problem” to be solved, World Vision approaches it through the lens of Positive Youth Development, a strengths-based approach that sees young people as having inherent and evolving capacity and playing a vital role in their own development. Also, adolescents do not grow in isolation, but in enabling environments, both influencing and being influenced by those around them.

Positive rites of passage are important for adolescent development and can contribute to an evolving sense autonomy and belonging and transition from childhood to adulthood. Marking a transition event, such as a first period, is an opportunity to help a young person build skills and agency and engage in healthy relationship-building between the adolescent and their peers, their caregivers, and other adult role models.

Marking this occasion alongside my daughter shows her I am invested in her health and well-being and that menstruation is not something to be ashamed of. She will invite a few friends so they can share experiences of transition together and we will invite aunties to give her access to information and safe people to confide in. Her father will participate from the sidelines, showing her he understands her body and her development, making her feel safe and comfortable in our family, and demonstrating that men do not have to feel awkward about this very normal experience.

• What are some ways your community marks a child’s transition to adolescence?
• Does your child's school have a safe place for adolescents to speak to about their menstrual hygiene?
• Is there sufficient funding for all menstruating children to feel comfortable during their menstrual cycle within their learning environment?
• What tools are in place to prepare girls for the menstrual hygiene in your context, country, and communities?
• In some contexts, people believe girls and women with disabilities don't menstruate, so they face attitudinal barriers to realising their menstrual health. Are there groups of adolescents who face unique barriers to menstrual health that are overlooked? What can be done to address those barriers?