Negative perceptions of menstruation cause those who have periods to experience stigma, causing exclusion and isolation
Menstrual stigma causes those who have periods to feel shame and embarrassment, lowering their confidence and self-esteem
Experiencing menstrual stigma and shame limits those with periods from realising their full potential
People with periods are not free to live the lives they choose to live
Join the Irise Advocacy Network and act with Empower Period. Speak out and share your menstrual story.
Receive training with Irise and become a leader for positive social change
Transform your community into a period positive environment and advocate nationally for period equality
People with periods live their lives free from period shame
Act now and end period shame for good
Aged 15-25 in the UK and passionate about ending period shame? Become an
Empower Period Agent of Change. Lead your community to period freedom!
Up for a challenge? Climb the Mountains of the Moon in Uganda and show the world that menstruation matters! Raise funds to end period shame for all girls.
Attend our Empower Period Conference in Uganda - a unique opportunity for UK and Ugandan advocates to come together and share their menstrual learning.
Become a part of our global network of period poverty fighters and receive notice of our upcoming opportunities by joining the Advocacy Network!
*We have postponed our Period Expedition and Empower Period Conference because of COVID-19 BUT our work is not hold. Read more about our Coronavirus response here. If you’d like to get involved in our remote training, support and campaigning email [email protected] Make sure you are following us on social media for regular updates.*
Find out how you can assess the need in your community and identify positive actions you can take during the COVID-19 crisis.
Meet the lovely people from our network blogging and sharing on our social media channels. We're thrilled to have them on board sharing stories, insights and passion. You can connect directly with them via the Irise channels with your questions and thoughts on all things Irise.
“I’m a graduate in social anthropology and now volunteer with Irise International, taking on lots of different roles to support their many amazing projects. I’m passionate about women’s health and the importance of access for young girls to accurate, sustainable information about their bodies as well as menstrual products. I particularly enjoy writing and editing blog posts for Irise and love to be active outside in my spare time.”
“I am currently a student studying Politics and Sociology. I am really enjoying volunteering for Irise and believe the work we are doing creates positive change. My goal is to contribute to end shame and stigma surrounding periods by using my communication and writing skills. I believe no one should be held back by their Period and that eradicating period poverty can contribute to gender equality.”
“I’m a current third year history student at the University of Sheffield. I began volunteering at Irise last year and I have focused mainly on the social media side of Irise, aiming to develop this into being an interactive part of the charity. I am extremely passionate about being part of an organisation that aims to end period stigma by opening up the period conversation and rising awareness. I’ve had so much fun being part of the organisation that has such a genuine ethos.”
Share your story to help smash the silence and end the shame.
Our advocates share why they're building a movement to end period shame.
"Being able to support Irise has not only empowered myself and people that attend our events but also allowed me to help tackle a crises that can not simply be ignored.”
"Irise is the first community I have been a part of where I have felt completely open talking about periods; the supportive culture has provided me with an important safe space to break down my own internalised menstrual stigma."
"I'm working with Irise to fight the stigma and taboo around periods because if people were more open to talking about periods when I was at school I wouldn't have been so worried! ”
"After learning and understanding menstruation with Irise, all I wanted to do was to let people know that it is something to be proud of not to be ashamed."
