My period is ARTsome is a first of its kind event that took place on Friday November 10 at the Kigali Menstruation Station. It was a photo exhibition about periods in public organized by Dukataze and it explored the experiences of menstruating people in different situations like sports, public transportation, schools, friendships and within the family. The goal of the event was to destigmatize periods and menstruations and show that it a normal life experience.

The photos were displayed both indoors and outdoors in the exhibition space. Outside, the photos were put up on easels. The pictures were accompanied with varying stories of women and girls about their experiences with menstruation. Inside the photos were suspended from the ceiling, and it created an interactive visual experience. People had a chance to walk around and see the photos before the event started.

Dukataze CEO, Amina Umuhoza gave a welcoming speech and said that this was the first exhibition about menstruations in Rwanda. She reiterated that their main goal is to normalize conversations about menstruations. Afterwards, there was a discussion with a panel of specialists from different areas related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Afterwards, there was a panel discussion that was moderated by Esther- an activist intern at the Kigali Menstruation Center. The panel consisted of diverse specialists in the field of SRHR. They were asked questions about their first encounter with menstruation, their thoughts on the photo exhibition and some of the misconceptions people have about periods. Some of the common themes included the hush hush nature of conversations about menstruation and things that can go wrong when people don’t have accurate information about periods.

Rachel Arowolo, program manager at Prickle Academy Rwanda, talked about her experience in Nigeria and how it differs from Rwanda. She talked about how some religions stigmatize periods and label women who are menstruating as unclean. In some churches, when women are on their periods they were not allowed to enter the church. They would have to go through purification. These practices have a long-lastingimpact on women and girls. As her parting message she said, “We should not stop speaking about periods, we should extend the knowledge about periods to parents.”

Furaha Daniel Bugingo, who was the winner of Let’s Talk About Us (LTAU) club talent in the first cohort talked about the difficulty men have engaging in conversations about menstruation. He reflected on some of the mistakes he made before getting more educated about menstruations like teasing girls who were on their periods when he was at school. One of the questions he was asked was what can be done for men to be involved in SRHR. He responded that men need to be more comfortable naming periods and menstruations and avoid calling them “bya bintu”- the other things and other euphemism. It is also important to stop turning periods into spectacles. Instead of laughing at, or making fun of girls on their periods, they could support them by taking care of things. In the end, he urged everyone to be more curious and strive to have a positive understanding about menses.

There was also Ingabire Emery Jocelyne an SRHR expert who has worked in the pharmaceutical field and now does work within the policy making and community outreach sector. She talked about the stigma still associated with periods in the workplace and how it is often weaponized against women. One example she gave was that in the work place, male colleaguesoften blame periods when women disagree with them. She also talked about the barriers women still have accessing period products. As part of her community outreach work, she met women who would use clay to absorb period blood because they couldn’t afford to buy menstrual products. In the end she acknowledged that even though menstruating can be a painful and difficult experience, it is a normal aspect of life that should not be relegated into private spaces only.

The last panelist was Hallelujah Mahoro a gender activist who works within the women’s rights sector . She talked about how people’s actions have a big impact on the general perception of periods. One time, she sat with a friend for hours in a church because she had stained herself and they had to wait until everyone had left so that they could leave unnoticed. There is still a lot of shame associated with staining yourself in public when on your period. Often people rush to cover up the person without even notifying her first. This gives the message that it is a shameful thing that needs to be hidden away. She also said that everyone, especially men, should educate themselves about periods. The responsibility isn’t on women.

When the panel discussion was over, there was time for people to network and have a second look at the photo exhibition. Some of the key take aways from the event was the importance of engaging in conversations about menstruations. There is still a lot of shame and stigma associated with periods and normalizing talking about them will go a long way towards reducing the shame and the stigma. There is still a lot of work to be done about access to education about menstruation for everyone- men, parents, and menstruators.

In a heartwarming and inspiring event, we celebrated our six years of existence, marking a journey of empowerment, impact, and transformation. The event, held at KIGALI MENSTRUATION STATION, was a testament to the organization's commitment to making a difference in society through its various initiatives and projects.

The event kicked off with MC Jose Umutesi welcoming esteemed guests of honor from Cameroon and representatives from diverse organizations and sectors. Local leaders also graced the occasion, setting the tone for a day filled with celebration, recognition, and reflection. Jose outlined the agenda of the day, setting the stage for an eventful and meaningful anniversary celebration.

Taking the stage, CEO Amina Umuhoza shared insights into the essence of the organization, highlighting the journey, values, and significant impact on society. With unwavering passion, Amina underscored the NGO's commitment to driving positive change and uplifting our target group.

COO Gisele Mugenga then took the spotlight, presenting a remarkable display of achievements accomplished over the past year within the LTAU Club. The event showcased the competition between two schools, G.S Akumunigo and G.S Kimisange, from Kigali Province. The competition revealed the different talents of adolescents who seamlessly merged their learning with their passions, delivering creative expressions that held the interest of the audience.

A panel of judges— Sarah, Egide and Apophie—observed the performances and awarded certificates to every adolescent participant. The deserving winners of the competition were celebrated for their exceptional talents and contributions. Furthering the commitment to empowerment, the organization showcased their dedication to skill development.

Sewing skill developer Sarah was introduced, spotlighting her role in training four teenage mothers.

These resilient individuals had successfully completed their sewing classes, each receiving a graduation certificate and a sewing machine of their own. The sewing machines were donated by individuals who firmly believed in women's empowerment, serving as a tangible testament to the ripple effect of compassion and empowerment,

the event was graced by the presence of Victor from Cameroon, who generously gifted these teenage mothers, $200, to help them implement their skills.

The impact extended beyond training, as DUKATAZE provided not only financial aid but also business skills. The teenage mothers were help with three months' worth of rent, ensuring a stable foundation for their journey ahead.

As the program went on, attendees were taken on a heartwarming journey through time. A throwback video captured the evolution of DUKATAZE, from its humble beginnings to its current standing as a beacon of hope and change.

Gracing the stage once more, CEO Amina Umuhoza expressed her gratitude to the team that had tirelessly stood by the organization's side throughout the years. Amina's heartfelt appreciation was made tangible through the distribution of gift tokens and an honorary certificate. The Employee of the Year, Augustin Niyonsaba, was rightfully acknowledged and celebrated for his outstanding contributions.

The event continued with cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the sweet success of six years of empowerment, growth, and transformation. Attendees shared snacks, engaged in meaningful conversations, and strengthened the connections that have been fostered over the years.