Ideas worth spreading

A campaign for period positivity

1,811,277 views | Ananya Grover • TED-Ed Weekend

Having your period is exhausting -- and for many people across the world, menstruation is even more challenging because of stigmas and difficulty getting basic hygiene supplies, says social activist Ananya Grover. In this uplifting, actionable talk, she shares how "Pravahkriti," her campaign to spread period positivity, creatively engages with everyone to promote menstrual health, raise awareness and break taboos around periods.

Having your period is exhausting -- and for many people across the world, menstruation is even more challenging because of stigmas and difficulty getting basic hygiene supplies, says social activist Ananya Grover. In this uplifting, actionable talk, she shares how "Pravahkriti," her campaign to spread period positivity, creatively engages with everyone to promote menstrual health, raise awareness and break taboos around periods.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about fostering period positivity among students by using games and activities.

Play "Crimson Crusade" by defeating menstrual monsters like 'Mood Swings' and 'Cramps' and pick up collectibles that educate you about the problems faced by menstruating women globally!

About the speaker

Ananya Grover

Activist, student

See speaker profile

After witnessing the stigma related to menstruation, Ananya Grover took action with her classmates. She believes breaking silence is the first step towards period positivity.

Rayka Zehtabchi | Netflix, 2018 | Watch

Period. End of sentence.

Set 60 km away from Delhi, this Oscar-winning documentary's strength lies in its successful portrayal of the impact of empowering women with knowledge and having them take charge of their own menstrual hygiene. Notably, it includes the contribution of India's "Menstrual Man," Arunachalam Muruganantham, whose machines enable rural women to earn a livelihood by manufacturing low-cost sanitary napkins for their communities.

Gloria Steinem | Ms. Magazine, 1978 | Article

"If Men Could Menstruate"

Written in 1978, this humorous essay remains just as relevant as ever. Gloria Steinem puts into perspective how historical gender norms and the patriarchy have shaped our current perception of menstruation. Even more importantly, she reshapes that perception by absurdly describing just how easy it can be to flip the switch — being open about periods, celebrating them even.

| Explore

Menstrupedia

Available in Hindi, English, Spanish, Bulgarian, Russian and 11 regional Indian languages, Menstrupedia is an illustrated comic book that introduces girls — and boys! — to menstruation through stories and relatable characters. Accessible and engaging, it serves as an educational tool for older people, educators and parents, too.

Jennifer Weiss-Wolf | Arcade, 2019 | Book

Periods Gone Public

Periods Gone Public offers a broad yet in-depth pool of knowledge exploring the severe effects of the lack of menstruation-linked information, access and policies on different groups, such as the homeless, LGBTQ+ identities and those in prison. Jennifer Weiss-Wolf suggests ways that ordinary people like you and me can help improve menstrual hygiene management in their local communities.

Carmen Fishwick | The Guardian, 2015 | Article

"Women discuss endometriosis: 'No one believed I could be in such pain from a period'"

Social stigma related to reproductive health affects the medical field as well — keeping women from being diagnosed accurately for the real problems they suffer, such as endometriosis, PCOS, PMDD, anaemia due to periods, for years and years. This article sheds light on the experiences of several women, once again making the case for healthier and open discourse about menstrual and reproductive health.

Human Rights Watch, 2017 | Explore

"Understanding Menstrual Hygiene Management and Human Rights"

This guide, developed by Human Rights Watch, views menstrual health and hygiene from the lens of international human rights guidelines. It's a great starting point to understanding the intersection between menstrual health and the fundamental rights to health, education, work, dignity and equality.

Period Media, 2020 | Explore

Period!

Period! is an independent online magazine dedicated to positive and informative writing on the menstrual cycle. It's a comprehensive resource with fact-based articles about menstrual disorders as well as features of periods in art and culture! Discover fun ways to foster period positivity among children (see the series "Playful Period Pedagogy") and find opportunities to share your own stories.

Tarini Pathak, Tanvi Vijh, Ananya Grover and Satyam Mehta | Book

It's Code Red!?: A Pravahkriti Initiative

Of pad companies and menstrual products, of societal norms and archaic taboos — It's Code Red!? is a collection of period positive poetry, artwork, letters and photographs by students in India.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about fostering period positivity among students by using games and activities.

Play "Crimson Crusade" by defeating menstrual monsters like 'Mood Swings' and 'Cramps' and pick up collectibles that educate you about the problems faced by menstruating women globally!