In 2019, Global Citizen published statistics that highlighted over 800 million people menstruate daily across the world, with over 50% of the global population getting a period at some point in their lives. Yet, despite this, periods have remained shrouded in shame and stigma since civilisation began thousands of years ago. 

Historically, little was known about the human body, let alone the gynaecological anatomy. Many cultures and societies throughout history have seen periods as injuries, signs of serious illness, and even an indication of poor mental health. 

Menstruation as a bodily function wasn’t properly studied until the 20th Century, and even today in the 21st Century there is still so much to learn about how we menstruate and the overall health of those who have a menstrual cycle. 

Why has the taboo of periods been inherited throughout history? 

Why do we still have so much shame surrounding menstrual bleeding in the 21st Century?

This exhibition highlights just a few of the facts and stories from throughout history, putting a spotlight on the ongoing and inherent issues that surround periods. We will briefly explore how the lack of understanding and provision for periods in society has impacted on the lives of millions of people, throughout the centuries, to this day. 

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Select below one of the five themes of the exhibition.