FLOW - the book about menstruation

Authors: Karen Jeynes, Candice Chirwa, Pontsho Pilate
Publisher: Kwela
Reviewer: Beryl Eichenberger
This is a vitally important book for every woman.  It is seminal in unpacking menstruation taboos and demystifying the period. It is also  a practical, empowering read skilfully navigating the ebb and flow of this most natural of female bodily functions. With contributions by Dr Ilana Johnson, Tariq Hassan and Claire Fourie and other experts it addresses everything you need to know.
Candice Chirwa, is known as the Minister of 

Menstruation, a menstrual activist with an avid interest in gender and youth issues. Karen Jeynes, a writer for stage and screen has co-authored teenage books as well as the Karen Book of rules and published numerous short stories, articles and poetry. Pontsho Pilate an award winning journalist, editor and media training.
We know that in this country 30% of our girl children miss school because of lack of access to sanitary products. Equally sad is that, even now in the 21st Century, so many young women also suffer embarrassment, stigma and cultural barriers about their monthly flow.
All three authors are passionate about talking about menstruation and answering all those questions about a woman’s period. The book is an important  source on the natural, biological and fundamental bodily process. It opens all the doors on being period positive. And if talking about this is making the reader uncomfortable – then you need to read the book.
Warmly chatty and incisively written the book is divided into three parts, the physical, the psychological and the political (coincidence that all they start with the letter P?) Reading through the chapters the personal experiences  from these three young writers and their research subjects is revealing.  Pontsho relates her own journey with her ‘Flow Journal’ and brings up the question of ‘why is having a vagina so expensive?’ – by counting the cost of having a period the need for free sanitary products (as with free condoms) is long overdue but, when you read of the long political journey in making sanitary products Vat free – only achieved in 2018 – how far is this into the future?
Menstrual rights are human rights – why is it then that it can be so difficult to talk about menstruation? ‘Well, it is because it is still unacceptable to talk openly about their period, to make it visible. When we think of how society portrays menstruation, it is usually in the format of horrific PMS jokes or first menstruation horror stories, and this results in socialising our young menstruators to expect to hate their periods before they even start.’ 
With conversations conducted with young and old, the chapters are open and informative as they speak from the hearts of women and their experiences. Men, both young and old, reveal the ignorance perpetuated through generations but also there is empathy, understanding and a desire to be supportive. Gender issues and transgender experiences are spoken about with sensitivity and practicality: sex, pregnancy, disability, sexual assault all come under the microscope.  This is a tightly packed book where the authors have explored every avenue. It should be required reading, not just in schools but for all adults. Drawing as it does on both lay and professional experiences, there is passion and purpose towards a period positive country which is to be applauded.
I would encourage everyone to join the #FreeToBleed campaign  - the journey for free menstrual pads products in our lifetime. Menstrual activism is an important part of allowing our young girls to grow up being proud of who they are and what they represent.  ​