UCLGlobalHealth's video: Ain t I a Woman Exploring taboos around menstruation and its absence UCL IGH IWD Panel Discussion

To mark IWD 2022, UCL's Institute for Global Health (IGH) helped raise awareness of taboos surrounding menstruation, and its absence, to explore ideas of 'womanhood'. Whether it's menstruation or menopause, talking about periods or the absence of them has often been a taboo subject. Our panel discussion featured topics of HIV, abortion, period poverty and menstruation for trans people. Panel members: - Dr Shema Tariq - Chair - Dr Catherine Conlon - Susan Cole-Haley - Suzanna Hopwood - Tara Akindele If you were at all affected by anything in this discussion please see the links below for advice and support: UCL Student Support at UCL for emotional support and a range of advisers: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/support-and-wellbeing/seeing-adviser Report + Support for bullying, harassment and discrimination reporting and support: https://report-support.ucl.ac.uk/ Wellbeing, anxiety, and other issue key contacts and resources: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/support-and-wellbeing/resources-and-information Student Support Care First (24hrs for telephone counselling, call +44 (0)800 197 4510) Crisis helplines & urgent care support numbers https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/support-and-wellbeing/evening-and-weekend-support Support for Trans Students https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/news/2020/dec/support-trans-students-ucl Employee Assistance Programme (Care First for employees, providing free counselling on a range of emotional support issues) https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/health-wellbeing/workplace-health/employee-assistance-programme-eap Supporting Trans Staff in the Workplace: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/sites/human-resources/files/trans_guidance.pdf UCL Menopause Guidance: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/policies/2021/aug/menopause-guidance UCL Menopause Network: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/equality-diversity-inclusion-committees-and-networks/ucl-menopause-network Sexual Health Clinic Mortimer Market: https://www.sexualhealth.cnwl.nhs.uk/clinic/mortimer-market-centre-including-margaret-pyke-centre/ Staff Equalities Networks: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/staff-equalities-networks External Organisations Advice and counselling around abortion and pregnancy: https://www.bpas.org/abortion-care/considering-abortion/advice-and-counselling/ Switchboard (dedicated advice & support for the LGBTQIA+ community) https://switchboard.lgbt/ Tommy’s (support for those experiencing/who have experienced baby loss) https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support Endometriosis UK support https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/get-support Emotional support for fertility concerns https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/fertility/emotional-support/ Women’s Aid https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/useful-links/ -a55f2f9e-d763 Positively UK (support for those living with HIV) https://positivelyuk.org/women-space/ Menopause Support https://menopausesupport.co.uk/ Inclusive Trans sexual health and wellbeing CliniQ: https://cliniq.org.uk/ & 56 Dean Street for a inclusive sexual health clinic services Karma Nirvana: Free / 0800 5999 247 / Mon-Fri 9am-5pm https://karmanirvana.org.uk/get-help/helpline/