MOST girls have their first periods between the ages of 11 and 14.
But today, some girls as young as eight are beginning menstruation.
Though questions such as "is this normal" may arise, menstruation activist Candice Chirwa said that it simply means puberty has hit early for them.
She attributed some of the factors that have sped up the puberty stage among young girls in the food that they eat.
“What you eat has a major impact on your puberty starting earlier. Genetically modified foods (corn, rice, potato or tomato) have a major impact on the hormones that are being released in kids earlier.
"This is not a major concern, especially if people start having conversations centered on menstruation and being in a more period positive society," Candice said.
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She said a period positive society is one where parents should disassociate the stigmas around getting periods earlier.
"Not only do these stigmas relate to misbehavior, but they also include statements like 'it's because you've started having sex'," she said.
In addressing these issues, Candice believes in parents and teachers initiating conversations with girls before the time hits.
On Thursday, 19 October, Candice visited LEAP Science and Maths School in Diepsloot, north of Joburg as part of the YouthX Workshop on Menstrual Health Empowerment initiative, under the NGO Qrate.
??? @Candice_Chirwa sharing important menstrual advice with the learners. ?? #YouthX #UnlockYourX pic.twitter.com/Ft7MygYRqs
— YouthX By Nedbank (@YouthXByNedbank) October 19, 2023
During the workshop, a 15-year-old girl in grade 9 shared her experience, saying: “I learnt how to be proud and love my vagina even when I go on my periods and shouldn't be ashamed."
She said that telling her mother about her first period was not easy because they hadn't spoken about it before.
Another pupil, Rosline Dube (15), said when she started her first period, her mother was away, and she was left with her dad.
The senior marketing manager for Youth at Nedbank, Mongezi Sokanyile, expressed the importance of creating a sustainable nation by fostering open conversations and empowering young girls.
“Making a change starts on the grassroot, and if we are able to create those conversations while the kids are still young and opening them to opportunities that are available for them,” he said.
