Being girls together.
TW: This zine mentions themes of harassment and the occurrence of sexual assault and abuse.
by Jamyla Pasion2023
ABOUT BLOODY TIME
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ABOUT BLOODY TIME
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PERIOD STIGMA.
On any given day, around 300 million people globally will have their periods. But all too often, this natural and healthy part of life is seen as shameful and dirty.
Myths and false information around periods are common, and often lead to girls, women, transgender men and non-binary people who menstruate being stigmatized.
The culture of silence around periods means that quality menstrual products like pads are not available, affordable or prioritized as household expenditure.
Taboos around discussing menstruation mean that countless girls start their periods scared, uninformed and without support. Many think they are sick, or even dying when they bleed for the first time.
This means that in low income countries in particular, menstrual products are seen as “luxury items”, which girls and women will often forgo.
The stigma surrounding menstruation both stems from and worsens gender inequality. It comes from a perception of girls as less worthy – both in society and within families – and
by exposing them to discrimination and unfair
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“When I had my first period, my parents were out of town and I was so scared because of the bleeding. I just kept changing my pants every 10 minutes. I wish I was more informed. It was truly a traumatising experience.”
"The memory of being 13 and my dad standing awkwardly outside the bathroom door yelling, ‘Do you need any feminine napkins in there?' It still is ingrained in my mind.”
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"Junior prom was the first and last time I ever used a tampon — well, tried to. I didn't know how to use it, so my bestfriend tried to plug it in for me in the girl's bathroom."
“Two months into dating a guy. Got my period in the middle of the night and stained his brand-new mattress.”
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GIVE BACK GIRLHOOD
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GIVE ME BACK MY GIRLHOOD
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HOW OLD ARE YOU?
SMILE FOR HI GANDA, MUSTA
PENGE NAMAN
SAN KA PUNTA?
WITWIW!
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COME BACK MAGKANO MISS?
FOR ME!
CAR*
MO
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HONKS
NAMAN NG NUMBER
HEY BEAUTIFUL
Do you make your keys
Chances woman.
Harassment is a core culture. It widely swept not that women, growing transformation to object.
Every day, stay safe a normal and meet
For example, to work, school, we feel the list of safety use navigating to ensure to our rescue street harassment, or even sex not to go instead paths.
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make a weapon out of keys and a fist? No?
are you're not a Harassment against women core component of our is pervasive, and yet swept under the rug as big of a deal. For growing up involves a transformation from subject day, women struggle to while trying to lead life, achieve goals, society’s standards. example, while on our way school, and university, the need to use a long safety measures. We navigating applications someone can come rescue if we fall prey to harassment, abduction, sex trafficking. We try out past sunset and choose crowded
However, none of these measures guarantee our safety.
Sad fact is, the fear that we feel in public places is so common that many women consider it a fact of life. Thus, starting the hashtag #NotAllMen by men, as a rebuttal to the generalization of them as sex offenders.
However, most men seem to not understand that when feminists oppose the hashtag #NotAllMen, they are not labeling all men as harassers. This phrase is not a code for ‘put all men in one box and ruin them.’ It is a sigh of agony that pleads for society to affirm women’s human dignity. We know that it is not all men. But we also understand that all women have experienced sexism and misogyny in some form, whether at home, at work, in school, on the streets, or in the marketplace.
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“I was sexually assaulted at my employee forced himself on me. I complaint, I was only 21 at the [going to] ruin my reputation.”
“I remember one time somebody asked me “How much?” I was being looked at like I was a sex worker while I was in school.”
“It happened once, it happened twice, a man was masturbating looking at me at the metro.”
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first job. An older male was too afraid to lodge a the time. I thought it was
"...He began putting his hands on me... I had to show him I was carrying a pocketknife so that he would leave me be..."
“I was practicing for a school dance presentation and he kept commenting on how curvy my body was.”
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OH HOW LOVE BEING A WOMAN
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HOW i BEING WOMAN
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It is ingrained in us women to reject femininity. We are taught to not trust other women much. We grow up hearing stories of women tearing each other down. Even camaraderie between women is mocked and discouraged.
We then learn that all of that was a complete lie. In fact, my female identifying friendships have always been the most fulfilling. Some my fondest memories include braiding friend’s hair, messily painting nails on kitchen counter, to gossiping about anything while getting ready together.
They allow for love to flow freely. They allow for comfort and understanding. We bonded through our femininity.
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femininity. too women camaraderie discouraged. complete friendships
Some of braiding a the anything allow are
Though the most beautiful thing about female friendship, to me, is its strength. Women make each other more resilient because, we become an astounding source of confidence, reassurance, comfort, joy and candor that can truly guide each other through life.
Friendship among women is so important because it gives us the solidarity to get through the inconvenience, fear, confusion and even danger of being female.
I have had my fair share of failed friendships, but I am who I am because of the people I know. The girls that I call my friends are some of the most important people in my life.
Female friendships are, quite simply, a catalyst for sense of purpose.
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“Suddenly syncing periods with your girl friends”
“Dress with pockets”
“Feeling pretty after crying”
“The feeling after getting your nails done”
“Lending your last hair tie to your friend”
“Advice talks with mom”
“Braiding each others hair”
“Going to the bathroom together”
“Giggling while divulging crushes”
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“Nearly everything love, I've learnt long-term friendships with women.”
everything I know about learnt from my friendships ― Dolly Alderton
for MMS 198