Writing and art on menstruation
A pathbreaking anthology on the diverse experiences of menstruation in South Asia.
Menstruation is a topic often buried in fear and shame. Its discussion is even taboo in many societies. But menstruation is a healthy and fundamental bodily process.
A worldwide effort is now firmly underway to bring conversations about menstruation and menstrual health into the open.
Period Matters carries this important endeavour forward.
Period Matters brings together a breadth of perspectives from well-known figures as well as those whose voices are missing from the mainstream.
Essays, artwork, stories and poems from policymakers, entrepreneurs, artists, academics, activists, as well as interviews with those at the margins, such as the homeless and those living with disabilities, explore myriad aspects of how menstruation is experienced in South Asia.
A collection of breathtaking scope and significance, Period Matters illustrates with power, purpose and creativity both the variances and commonalities of menstruation.
Crimson Realities: Navigating the Body Politics in Period Matters: Menstruation in South Asia, Dr. Hima S. Madhu and Nayana M. Pradeep
Kotex presents: Art's Missing Period
This documentary explores how menstruation has been represented in art and culture. Artists and writers share the challenges of presenting work about menstruation and efforts to reclaim the narrative. Farah Ahamed reflects on her book Period Matters and the artwork it features, highlighting how period art continues to face stigma and shame.
Postcards
Hillcrest Community Run 2026
For this year’s run, there was a turn-out of around a 100 people and part of the proceeds went to Panties with Purpose which was used to buy 1,570 underpants. The slogan was from Mischa: ‘Be a Pumba, live in the moment.’ Special thanks to Meera Somji and her friends for doing the run in London and also raising funds for Panties with Purpose.
Inspiring mentorship
An inspiring mentorship session with Farah Ahmed. Her journey showed us that creating change can be both rewarding and challenging…
press
A pioneering anthology
1 May 2026
Journal of Visual and Performing Arts
Farah Ahamed’s (2022) Period Matters: Menstruation in South Asia is a pioneering anthology which discusses varied understandings of menstruation of people belonging to diverse parts of South Asia. To discuss varied experiences on menstruation, different literary genres such as essays, interviews, art forms, and stories are used in this work which makes the narration a novel one. The writer also analyses the role of caste in constructing menstrual stigma in South Asia. Menstrual experiences of trans persons are described in a nuanced way which is shocking to those who come across the work. She also discusses the recent innovations in technology to make the flow a smooth one and to ensure period safety and period hygiene.
Conversation with Shikha Sawhney Lamba
1 Apr 2026
usawa.in
Farah, let’s start at the beginning. Why does the cause of period poverty resonate so deeply with you? Can you take us back to the moment Panties with Purpose was born? What sparked the idea and set it in motion?
In 2000 when I was working for the Aga Khan Foundation in Uganda, I learnt about how underprivileged girls were missing five days of school every month because of their period. They were forced to stay home because they did not have access to menstrual products, and their schools had poor or no sanitation or toilet facilities. It made me realise that while I had the luxury of a choice of menstrual products and carried on with life as normal during my period, poor girls were using leaves, cow dung, feathers, mud, and dirty rags and hiding at home. It took eleven years for the idea to ferment before my sisters and I took action…
usawa.in/matchbox/shikha-sawhney-lamba-in-conversation-with-farah-ahamed
Period Matters includes contributions from
Aakar Innovations • Farah Ahamed • Granaz Baloch • Siba Barkataki • Alnoor Bhimani • Srilekha Chakraborty • Shashi Deshpande • Tishani Doshi • Lyla FreeChild • Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan • Goonj • Menstrupedia • Anish Kapoor • Rupi Kaur • K. Madavane • Amna Mawaz Khan • Sarah Naqvi • Ayra Indrias Patras • Victoria Patrick • Radha Paudel • Radhika Radhakrishnan • Lisa Ray • Mariam Siar • Shahzia Sikander • Shashi Tharoor • Meera Tiwari • Tashi Zangmo
Edited by Farah Ahamed
Publisher: Macmillan
Language: English
Publication date: 28 June 2022
www.panmacmillan.co.in
Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 9389104475
ISBN-13: 978-9389104479
Kindle: 16917 KB
Available to purchase
Raqs-E-Mahvaari
Lyla FreeChild
The book cover for Period Matters features “Aadya Shakti” by Lyla FreeChild
Aadya Shakti
Lyla FreeChild with artwork
My art was inspired by Lajja Gauri. Lajja Gauri is the lotus-headed Hindu goddess associated with abundance, fertility and sexuality. She is also known as Aadya Shakti (primal energy) and Bhu-devi (Earth goddess).
In my vision of her, I saw myself. In my painting you will see Lajja Gauri wearing thick bangles, toe rings, anklets and armlets which is the kind of jewelry I always wear. In order to do justice to what I had imagined, I photographed myself extensively. I wanted my art to be very personal and intimate. I had been harvesting my own menstrual blood for several years and had collected enough to use as paint. I was convinced this medium would allow me to reclaim the purity of menstrual blood.
Art for sale
Lyla FreeChild has made her artwork Aadya Shakti and Reflowering available as prints for sale.
These are A3 size Giclee Prints on Museum Etching Paper (high archival quality). Each print is individually signed by the artist. The original artworks were made using ink, acrylics and her menstrual fluid.
Purchasing Lyla’s artwork helps to support her and her art practice. Each print is priced at £30 (GBP 30). If you are interested, please contact us.