Why is menstrual hygiene not treated as a public health issue if cis women, transmasculine transvestites and non-binary people with the ability to conceive represent the majority of the population?
Imagine what it's like to use bread crumbs instead of absorbent , cup or menstrual panties. Just think what it's like to have cramps that give you chills while you sleep on a mattress outside on a cold day. Calculate what it's like to have no toilet paper or running water in the house to take a shower when you're on your period.
In addition to being deprived of showers in their homes, 4 million girls suffer from at least one lack of hygiene in schools . This includes lack of access to pads and basic facilities in schools, such as toilets and soap. Of these, almost 200,000 students are completely deprived of the minimum conditions to take care of their menstruation at school . The result? They cannot go to school during the menstrual period, that is, every month they have to be absent.
Menstrual poverty has color, it has race. The chance of a black girl not having access to bathrooms is almost three times the chance of finding a white girl in the same conditions. Not to mention women in prison who, until recently, did not receive sanitary pads and were given the same amount of toilet paper as a cis man, who only wipes his ass.
Why is menstrual hygiene not treated as a public health issue if cis women, transmasculine transvestites and non-binary people with the ability to conceive represent the majority of the population? While the Federal Government denies the distribution of pads in schools, feminist collectives are running to try to guarantee a minimum of dignity for people who menstruate. 
This is the case of Coletivo Igualdade Menstrual, a longtime partner of Peita. On this 28th of May, International Menstrual Hygiene Day, we launch together the phrase I bleed, therefore I resist, with part of the profit reverted to the project that takes menstrual education to schools and prisons, carries out permanent campaigns to collect items that are passed on to people in situation of vulnerability and raise debates in lectures and conversation circles.
We interviewed Adriana Rebicki, photographer, artist, mother and founder of Igualdade Menstrual . 
Straight to the point: why do I bleed, therefore I resist?
More than 90% of Brazilian women report feeling ashamed when menstruating. In addition to the weight of shame, the taboo keeps thousands of girls away from classrooms, women from work and their most common social activities. Menstruating is normal, but it's treated like it's dirty, shameful and wrong. To resist while bleeding (or menstruating) is to fight for rights and dignity for all. It's talking naturally about menstruation and breaking taboos. It's carrying forward the message that we can and will do everything because our strength makes us RESIST.
What is menstrual poverty and how does it affect cis women, trans men and other non-binary people with childbearing capacity?
MENSTRUAL POVERTY is the lack of basic menstrual hygiene products such as pads; is the lack of access to water, sanitation and toilets in usable conditions at home, in schools and at work; it is also the lack of knowledge about one's own body, that is, the lack of menstrual education. The lack of these things results in menstrual poverty and directly affects the lives of people who menstruate, regardless of social class, it is everywhere where taboo and prejudice prevail.
In the case of younger people, the worst of the consequences could be truancy since 1 in 4 girls miss classes during menstruation. Not having access to items or a bathroom and water can lead to social withdrawal, shame, various emotional illnesses, lack of active participation in society, in the community and even in activities at home.
People who menstruate also live with the taboo of pain that is often minimized even by other people who menstruate. This sends a message that we have to endure and live with pain when in fact, too much pain is not normal and access to medical help and medication is also everyone's right.
Being proactive, what measures do we need to take and fight for menstrual equality in Brazil?
Facing menstrual poverty is everyone's duty, menstruating or not.
Discussing, knowing, seeking information is the first step that everyone can take. Educating and educating yourself is undoubtedly the greatest of all forms of transformation.
What activities does the Menstrual Equality Collective carry out?
- We raise and debate the subject on the web, online meetings, lectures and conversation circles in the most diverse spaces from school, through universities, churches, clubs, groups.
- We take menstrual education in schools and prisons
- We carry out permanent campaigns to collect items that are passed on to people in vulnerable situations
- We work in partnership with the legislature in the preparation of bills that create public policies to combat and eradicate menstrual poverty through the areas of assistance, education and health.
Which cities has the project already passed through?
Several cities in the state of Paraná such as: Curitiba, Piraquara, Pinhais, Quatro Barras, Maringá, Guarapuava, Campo Largo.
How are hygiene items collected for donation?
We collect donations through pix equalitymenstrual@gmail.com (Andressa's name) or at collection points, PEITA is the main one.
How can people contribute to the project?
The first step is to get informed and discuss the subject everywhere or even opening doors for us to go to these places like schools, universities, companies, etc. Also, with cash or product donations. Buying our chest! Participating as a volunteer in our actions.
If anyone is interested in taking the discussion to their school, university or company, how does it work?
Just get in touch via Instagram direct and we'll schedule a date to go.
What activities will the collective perform this Saturday?
8:30 am - Conversation Circle with the Psychology classes at Universidade Tuiuti
9:00 am to 1:00 pm - action with homeless women: medical care, information and donation of menstrual kits at PRAÇA RUI BARBOSA
5 pm to 10 pm - Conversation circle with bazaar and launch of the new Peita on RUA PAGU with forró music to celebrate the work already done.
Tell us some movies, books and series that deal with the subject.
ABSORBING THE TABOO - Oscar-winning documentary - produced and directed by women (NETFLIX)
RED - growing up is a beast - about menarche - (DISNEY)
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photo Adriana Rebicki.
