爆料社区

By Sophie Watson

As coaches, youth leaders, and outdoor practitioners, we are used to considering the needs of the young people we work with. We work hard to ensure they have positive, enjoyable, and meaningful experiences in the outdoors. However, there may be one area of outdoor practice and culture that requires further attention. I鈥檓 talking about鈥� periods!

Research shows鹿 that for some young people, having their period is significant barrier to their outdoor participation and enjoyment. Although many tamariki and rangitahi are taught about menstruation at school (although, often only female students), the information they are given tends to focus on the biology of menstruation and doesn鈥檛 address how to manage periods during physical activity or when they鈥檙e in the outdoors. The secrecy and shame associated with menstruation often means that young people aren鈥檛 given adequate support to manage their period.

Rangatahi are increasingly open about their menstruation experiences and needs and want their teachers and outdoor leaders to feel comfortable having open, respectful and supportive conversations with them about periods. Some young people have painful or heavy periods, which can affect their mood and physical ability. Others experience minor symptoms. There is no 鈥榬ight way鈥� to manage your period. It鈥檚 important follow the lead of each young person 鈥� they know their body best.

鈥淢y period can affect my participation in sport鈥�usually when I鈥檓 on my period I quite often feel hot, faint and sick.鈥� (Young Samoan/P膩keh膩 woman)

鈥淪ometimes having my period is an unintended blessing. When I hike with my period, I generally take it easier on myself - I slow down a bit more and spend more time 鈥榮till鈥�. Doing this can help me to enjoy my surroundings even more.鈥� (Adult P膩keh膩 woman)

Talking about periods may seem like a daunting prospect, especially if you don鈥檛 menstruate. However, offering your support to those who menstruate, and considering their specific needs during outdoor activities or sport, can make a positive difference to young people鈥檚 participation and enjoyment of experiences of physical activity.

鈥淢enstruation isn鈥檛 something to be sorry or ashamed about鈥� (Young Samoan woman)

鈥淚 wish someone had told me that having your period in the outdoors is ok and normal. And that you鈥檒l be able to manage it鈥︹�� (Young P膩keh膩 woman)

So, what can you do to support young people who might be menstruating?

• Upskill yourself: Think about the challenges menstruators might experience in your sport/activity and identify ways to manage them. Learn about the different periods management strategies that people use, so you can share them with others. Ask for help if you need it.
• Think about language: How you talk about periods and gender has a big impact on people鈥檚 perceptions and behaviours. Use positive or neutral language when talking about periods. Remember that not all girls menstruate, and not everyone who menstruates is a girl. Use inclusive language when addressing groups (for example, using 鈥榯eam鈥�, 鈥榝olks鈥�, 鈥榳h膩nau鈥�, or 鈥榩eople鈥�, instead of 鈥榞uys鈥�), and learn how to say 鈥榩eriod鈥� in different languages 鈥� 鈥榠kura鈥� is one of the M膩ori words for period.
• Create safe and open spaces for young people to talk about their experiences or ask for help. This means talking about periods in a positive and empowering way in front of the whole group to normalise it. Role model supportive behaviours, for example by showing empathy if someone is experiencing painful cramps and needs to walk more slowly. If someone in the group makes a negative or harmful comment, make sure you address it.
• Consider facilities and equipment: If you鈥檙e participating in activities in remote places, think about what toileting facilities are available. Share with the group where the toilets are (i.e., how many hours away). If there aren鈥檛 any available, create a private place for people to change their period products (for example by bringing a tarp/sarong that people can change behind). It鈥檚 also a good idea to create a 鈥榞roup period kit鈥� or carry spare period products. Make sure you talk about what鈥檚 in the kit (and how to use it) before you head out. Talk about it the same way you would a first-aid kit.

Coaches, youth leaders, and outdoor practitioners must play a key role in the changing the perceptions and practices of menstruation. By learning about, providing for, and celebrating menstruation and gender diversity, the outdoors will become a space where all our young people can thrive.

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Last month, Education Outdoors New Zealand release a resource called 鈥楪oing with the flow: Menstruation and rainbow-inclusive practices in the outdoors鈥�. The resource aims to inspire positive changes to outdoor practice and culture. It includes information about diverse experiences of menstruation (including rainbow perspectives), practical tips and advice, lesson plans suitable to use with young people, and a four-part video series.

You can access the resource at

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爆料社区 the author:

Sophie is a passionate advocate for gender equity, particularly in the outdoors, which played a important role in her life growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand. She has held numerous educational roles, including as a secondary school teacher for over a decade. Sophie currently works as a researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, and as a professional learning facilitator and co-chair for Education Outdoors New Zealand.

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鹿 Watson, S. (2016). Understanding female secondary school students鈥� experiences of outdoor education in Aotearoa New Zealand.