Menstruation is still heavily stigmatized, often reduced to shame and silence, leading to ignorance, isolation, and misunderstanding. Many individuals, especially those from conservative backgrounds or with conditions like PMDD or endometriosis, lack access to proper menstrual education and spaces for discussion, contributing to social and emotional challenges. The challenge is to normalize conversations around menstruation and create platforms for open dialogue.
Menstruation festival
Project owner: Udruga za ljudska prava i građansku participaciju Pariter, ASSOCIATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION "PARITER"
Responsible person: Marija Trcol

2025
Nominated
HR
Civil Society / Social Economy
Education
Diversity
Art, Culture

Challenge
Idea
Taboo transforms into public discourse through the Menstruation Festival's innovative approach to normalizing menstrual experiences. Educational components merge with activism and entertainment to create engaging discussion spaces focusing on menstrual health, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, and medical dismissal of women's pain. Participant feedback drives the festival's evolution, ensuring each iteration better addresses community needs while dismantling persistent stigmas surrounding menstruation.
Actors
Activists unite with researchers, civil society organizations, and corporate partners as Pariter orchestrates this collaborative festival experience. Audience preferences actively shape programming decisions, maintaining relevance and responsiveness to participant interests. Activity development happens through strategic partnerships that preserve the festival's community-driven nature. Unlike many initiatives, this festival remains free from external grant requirements or stakeholder demands, protecting its authentic, adaptable character.
Impact
Public perception shifts when menstruation appears in festival contexts, effectively normalizing previously hidden conversations. Creative methodologies including film screenings, interactive quizzes, and hands-on workshops attract diverse audiences while fostering participatory dialogue spaces. Cross-disciplinary collaboration amplifies messaging reach beyond traditional silos. Adaptable by design, the festival model enables replication across various communities, extending influence throughout the broader menstrual justice movement.
Transfer
Destigmatization strategies for sensitive social issues find practical demonstration through the Menstruation Festival's engaging, inclusive approach. Wide audience appeal results from thoughtfully combined interdisciplinary collaboration, participatory design principles, and innovative format selection. Similar initiatives gain valuable guidance from this established blueprint, supporting emerging collectives in developing customized menstrual education spaces tailored to specific community contexts and social change objectives.