Menstrual Equity 101 is a free and virtual workshop hosted by Free Periods Canada for service providers who work with youth. This workshop will help K-12 educators develop a deepened understanding of period poverty and its impacts on students in education settings, methods to address stigma associated with menstrual health, and learn how to become a confident advocate for menstrual equity. Menstrual Equity 101 is an interactive and engaging workshop that will help K-12 educators create a more informed and inclusive classroom.
Menstrual Equity 101 has been funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada, and Free Periods Canada is working with Food Banks Canada as an Education and Awareness Partner for the Menstrual Equity Fund. We are pleased to work with the Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre to offer this workshop to educators across the country and increase access to online learning related to menstrual equity.
Facilitator Information
Lilaani Thangavadivelu (she/her) is a Toronto based, bilingual project coordinator for Free Periods Canada. Drawing on her expertise in addressing health disparities and her dedication to supporting youth in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, Lilaani aspires to make a positive impact through her involvement in the Menstrual Equity 101 Project. During her free time, Lilaani mentors local high school students, teaches Carnartic music, and engages in creative sewing projects.
Priya Hiebert (she/they) is a genderqueer and autistic menstrual equity educator. Priya is living on the traditional homelands of the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk) and Ho-de-no-sau-nee-ga (Haudenosaunee) peoples, colonially known as Montréal. At FPC they are a French consultant on the Menstrual Equity 101 project. Outside of work you can find her rocking out at concerts or in their kitchen.
Qwisun Yoon-Potkins (she/her) is a Korean/English settler living on the traditional homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, colonially known as East Vancouver. She recently completed her Master’s of Arts degree in Educational Studies at UBC, with her thesis “Reimagining Sexual Health Education: Centering Youth Voice.” Her work explores how bottom-up approaches to sex ed, centering the experiences and stories of secondary-school-aged youth, have the potential to shift dominant narratives – including narratives about menstruation – not only for youth individually, but also within and beyond their wider communities. Qwisun believes that open, approachable, and engaging conversations about sexual health must be encouraged and normalized, and is excited to be participating in menstrual equity work as a part of the Free Periods Canada team.
