Young people lead from the forefront of change.
When it comes to period justice, it’s no different.
Over the past year, young South Australians have boldly led change in relation to period justice – from co-designing a new menstrual health curriculum to addressing the State’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Endometriosis. When it comes to period justice, young people in South Australia are having an impact and being heard. But it can’t stop there.
If you are someone who feels passionate about period justice, then join us on Tuesday 3 September at this year’s Youth Period Summit. Just by attending you will become part of a movement for change. A movement committed to bringing about period justice for all those who menstruate! This is an event you won’t want to miss.
The Youth Period Summit will equip you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to be a period justice advocate both now and into the future. The evening will showcase and celebrate the changes already achieved in relation to period justice, as well as offer practical tools for action and clear steps to enable you to lead real change in your own school and community too.
Who should attend?
All young South Australians aged 22 years and under (regardless of whether you menstruate or not).
Wellbeing leaders, educators and sporting coaches are also invited.
Inclusion
This is an event for all young people. It is part of an important conversation for young people who menstruate and those who don’t. We can’t create change alone. Whatever your experience of menstruation (even if simply through a sibling, friend, or partner), you are welcome.
Accessibility
U-City has a lift and is accessible for people with a disability. Please let us know any accessibility requirements upon registration and we will make every effort to ensure you can actively participate in the Summit.
Event Details
Cost: FREE
Time: 4.30pm to 7.30pm
Where: U-City (Light refreshments will be provided).
Scroll down for Guest Speaker details.
“I was taught that we must soldier on despite the pain. I’ve taken days off from school and work because I struggled to get out of bed due to period pain.”
– Sage, 20
“My dream is for people to understand their own physical health relative to periods, without being ashamed to speak out.”
– Dior, 17
“We should be including menstrual health in the education curriculum and having free period products in all schools.”
– Erin, 21
“It’s time to reduce stigma and stop making periods something to be afraid of or shameful. We need to move away from phrases like, ‘It’s their time of the month.'”
– Eleanor, 17
Guest Speakers
Helen Connolly (She/Her) – South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People
As the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Helen promotes and advocates for the rights, development and wellbeing of all children and young people in South Australia, with a special focus on children and young people whose voices are not often heard.
Helen has 30 years’ experience as a leader in human services. Throughout her career she has taken an active advocacy role on the main policy issues that impact on the wellbeing of Australian families and children, with a strong focus on early intervention and prevention strategies.
“My dream for period justice is that everyone has the information, support, confidence and resources they need for shame, stigma, pain, discomfort and embarrassment relating to having periods becomes a thing of the past.”
Eloise Hall (She/Her) – Managing Director & Co-founder of TABOO
Eloise is the Co-founder and Managing Director of TABOO Period Products, a social enterprise selling organic and ethically sourced period products with all company profits committed to ending period poverty. She is personally committed to making long-lasting, structural change to bridge the inequality that exists in our communities. Eloise has received several awards for her work including EY Impact Entrepreneur of the Year 2023, Westpac Social Change Fellowship 2023, The Advertiser’s 2021 Woman of Year Rising Star Award, and a 2019 Women in Innovation finalist. Eloise is also on the Board of the South Australian Social Enterprise Council.
Eva Jakob (She/Her) – Exercise Physiologist / Menstruation Educator at TABOO
Eva is an accredited Exercise Physiologist equipped with a Masters in both Women’s Health Medicine and Reproductive Medicine. Eva is focused on improving the quality of menstrual education while fighting stigmas surrounding period health. She is also passionate about teaching the importance of a healthy menstrual cycle from menarche to menopause.
Catherine Hutchesson MP (She/Her) – Member for Waite
Catherine is the Member for Waite, the first female member for this electorate and the first MP in the State with Indian Heritage. She is passionate about building a resilient community, bringing them together and supporting them to be their best.
She was elected in 2022 and this year moved a successful motion to establish a Select Committee to inquire into Endometriosis and is now the Chair of the Committee. She is the Deputy Chair of the Women in Sport Taskforce and is also a member of the Natural Resources Committee.
Catherine engages often with all the schools in her community, inviting students to be involved in events and activities and is always willing to encourage and support them in their ideas and endeavours.
Natalie Jonas (She/Her) – Assistant Director of Curriculum Development at the Department for Education
Natalie has been working with the Commissioner’s Period Justice Working Group to review and strengthen menstrual education in the SA Curriculum: Health and Physical Education. She is passionate about ensuring learner voice is heard and used to generate policy change and educational reform to meet the rights and needs of young people today.
Olivia Bellas (She/Her) – PhD Candidate at the University of Adelaide
Olivia Bellas is a PhD Candidate at the University of Adelaide within the Supportive Oncology Research Group. Previously, Olivia worked as a researcher for Flinders University investigating menstrual support in Australian primary schools for children who experience early menarche.
Libby Trainor Parker (She/Her) – Health Advocate, Speaker & Performer
Diagnosed later in life with endometriosis and adenomyosis after a lifetime of mystery, Libby now dedicates her life to advocating for people with illness so they can be diagnosed, treated, and live a full life.
Author of the book Endo Days (Wakefield Press), Libby has been instrumental and successful in lobbying for funds for endometriosis learning programs and raising awareness for the condition.
Libby is a popular MC and speaker, and can also be seen on stage as an award-winning cabaret performer and stand up comedian.
Nicola Jenson (She/Her) – Clinical Educator for Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Program (PPEP Talk®)
Nicola’s role includes visiting schools and sporting clubs throughout the state and educating students, athletes, and staff about pelvic pain. She is a Registered Nurse with over 12 years’ experience in Paediatrics and Neonatal Intensive Care as well as School Nursing. She has a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy and has an interest in Women’s Health. She is a mother to 3 daughters and enjoys her yoga, music and being outdoors.
Cr Ethan White (He/Him) – Councillor for Town of Gawler Council
Ethan is a filmmaker and young leader from Gawler, South Australia. He produces the television program Off the Couch with Ethan, a travel show all about encouraging young people and their families to get off the couch and into the great outdoors.
At 20 years of age, Ethan was elected councillor for the Town of Gawler and currently serves as South Australia’s youngest elected official.
Ethan has taken the opportunity in the position he is in to listen, advocate and implement programs and policies to better reflect the outcomes of a more period just world and hopes to raise awareness of period poverty in communities and to reduce ignorance and the stigma of menstruation.
Avery Cox (He/Him) – Transgender Peer Support Worker at SHINE SA
Avery is a mental health worker with a focus on lived experience, youth mental health, and LGBTQIA+ rights. He has spent the last 5 years working in different community teams, sharing and learning from them and their experiences.
Avery has a strong passion for activism, advocacy and art, and has used this passion to create several art initiatives, and pilot programs focusing on platforming local artists to better support them in being able to share their stories, experiences, communities, and artworks. The aim of these projects was to start conversations about community need, and diversity.
He currently works with SHINE SA as a transgender peer support worker on the gender country connect team, where he supports transgender people, and provides education and community outreach services.
Lily Durkin (She/Her) – Disability Advocate
Lily Durkin works for a disability social profit organisation. She is a physically disabled woman and has been advocating on disability for over 10 years. She is passionate about raising awareness to further the work of inclusion and access, and loves amplifying the voices of her community.
Ephrasie Muliro (She/Her) – Period Justice Working Group Member
Ephrasie is a young leader and advocate. She is a member of the Period Justice Working Group and loves using her voice to advocate for change in her community.
Program
| Time | Activity |
| 4:20 | Registrations Open |
| 4:40 | Welcome to Country, Opening Remarks, Housekeeping |
| 4:50 | Session 1 - Panel: Showcasing and Celebrating the Steps Forward for Period Justice in SA |
| 5:30 | Period Trivia |
| 5:35 | Session 2 - Workshop: Period Education with Eva Jakob |
| 5:55 | Session 3 - Workshop: Period Poverty with Eloise Hall |
| 6:10 | Break & Light Dinner |
| 6:25 | Session 4 - Workshop: Period Shame |
| 6:45 | Session 5 - Workshop: Period Support |
| 6:55 | Reflection & Next Steps |
| 7:20 | Performance by Libby Trainor Parker |
| 7:25 | Closing Remarks |
| 7:30 | Event Ends |
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