It’s time to change the conversation.
Join passionate young people for South Australia’s first Youth Period Summit taking place on Tuesday 11 July — a free one-of-a-kind event hosted by Commissioner for Children and Young People SA, Helen Connolly.
The Youth Period Summit will feature expert speakers, stories of impact and change, education, table discussions and creative opportunities. The day will culminate in development of a charter for tangible actions that schools, universities, sporting clubs and workplaces can implement to become more period friendly.
The Summit will also feature stalls showcasing the work of a variety of organisations committed to raising awareness around menstrual health and eradication of shame and embarrassment for all people who menstruate.
If you’re an advocate for period justice then this is an event you won’t want to miss!
Who should attend?
Every young person with an interest in period justice is invited to attend the Youth Period Summit because menstrual health and period poverty impacts everyone, regardless of age or gender. We want to amplify the thoughts and feelings of young people aged 25 and under on the issues that matter to them.
School principals, wellbeing leaders and other educators are also encouraged to attend, to learn what you can do to support young people who menstruate.
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.
A Charter for Period Justice
Tuesday 11 July, 2023 at U City Adelaide from 9:30am to 1pm
– Sage, 19
– Dior, 16
– Erin, 19
– Eleanor, 16
Special Guests
Helen Connolly – 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 to engage with and listen to children who aren’t usually heard.
Helen has 30 years’ experience as a leader in human services. Throughout her career, Helen 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 could have the information, support, confidence and resources needed for period shame, stigma, discomfort, pain and embarrassment to become a thing of the past.”
Eloise Hall – Managing Director & Co-founder of TABOO
Eloise is a leading expert on social enterprise in Australia, having founded and managed one of Australia’s most well-known businesses tackling period poverty. She is personally committed to making long-lasting, structural changes to bridge the inequality that exists in our communities. Eloise has received a number of awards for her work including EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Impact category), The Advertiser’s 2021 Woman of Year Rising Star Award, and a 2019 Women in Innovation finalist. To ensure others can follow in her footsteps, Eloise also sits on the advisory committee of the Adelaide Economic Development Agency and the board of the South Australian Social Enterprise Council.
TABOO sells organic and ethically sourced period products, and uses the profits to fight stigma, raise awareness, and work towards their vision of ending period poverty globally.
“I want to see period products being as accessible as toilet paper!”
Libby Trainor Parker – Health Advocate, Speaker & Performer
Libby is a highly-experienced public speaker, award-winning performer, and imminent author with a passion for advocating for people living with illness. Libby was diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis later in life, which has influenced her evergreen cabaret show Endo Days (recipient of Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award – Best Cabaret), and her upcoming book Endo Days.
Libby has spoken at events for RMIT, UniSA, Australian Coalition for Endometriosis, Melbourne Medical School, Pelvic Pain Foundation Australia, and the Australian Pain Society. She has also delivered briefings for State and Federal Parliament about her personal experiences of living with endometriosis to inform government about the necessity of endometriosis education in schools.
“My dream for period justice is for everyone to have access to education, resources, appropriate products and compassion. I want to see the shame, stigma and myths about periods eradicated. I want to see an end to hushed tones when we whisper ‘I’ve got my period’, I want us to stop hiding tampons in our sleeve to go to the toilet and I want people of all genders to learn more about what 50% of the population experience every month. I want periods to be no big deal.”
Dr Monique Mulholland – Senior Lecturer at Flinders University
Dr Mulholland’s research works with feminist, queer, and post-colonial/critical race theory to explore young people’s experiences of gender, sex and sexuality norms, and identities. Her research particularly focuses on partnering with communities to create strategies and resources to address issues of gender, sex, and race inequality.
Monique has received the 2017 Vice Chancellor’s Early Career Researcher Award and the 2022 College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Innovation in Teaching Award for her work in teaching and research excellence and is the author of many widely respected and referenced publications across books, journals and reports.
“We know there has been a decline in the age children experience menstruation, which can be as young as 8. However, early years primary students are commonly deemed too young to learn about menstruation, or articulate their needs. My dream is that we centre the voices of all children, normalise conversations through comprehensive menstruation education, and provide the desired supports for both teachers and students.”
Kirsty Mead – Executive Director of Pelvic Pain Foundation
Starting her career as a Registered Nurse, Kirsty holds over 25 years of experience in the medical industry. She is dedicated to improving the lives of Australians, their support networks, and the wider community impacted by health-related challenges. Deeply committed to improving outcomes and driving real change, Kirsty has focused on delivering projects that create a lasting impact, such as the Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Program, PPEP Talk®, of which she was co-creator. As Executive Director of the Pelvic Pain Foundation, Kirsty leads the not-for-profit organisation in their mission to build a healthier and more productive community by improving the quality of life of people with pelvic pain. The Foundation provides information and resources for people who experience pelvic pain and the Health Professionals who care for them.
“My dream for Period Justice is that all students across Australia receive PPEP Talk®. Life outcomes should not be predicated on whether you experienced period pain or, indeed, if you menstruate at all. Students across the country should receive the same information irrespective of their postcode, and the information needs to be more than about where the blood comes from. Students should leave school empowered with a medically accurate knowledge of whether their pain is normal and know how to advocate for themselves when it isn’t.”
Billy Greet – President of the Flinders University Student Association
As the Student President of the Flinders University Students Association (FUSA), Billy is passionate about advocating for period justice for students and young people. With a personal focus and understanding of the challenges faced by young individuals of diverse gender expressions and identities, Billy aims to actively raise awareness, promote policy changes, and develop educational resources to combat period poverty and stigma. During his time at FUSA, Billy has seen the importance of providing free period products to students on campus through period product dispensers in both gendered and gender-neutral bathrooms on all major Flinders campuses.
“I want all students and young people to have access to free, safe, and sanitary period products and to see the normalisation of these products being visible and readily available.”
Gemma Burdon – Foodbank Ambassador
Gemma Burdon is a community and not-for-profit leader that champions fairness and equality. She was the General Manager of Zahra Foundation, an organisation supporting women recovering from domestic violence, and the Deputy Director of the Don Dunstan Foundation where she drove social justice initiatives. Following these not-for-profit roles, Gemma is now working with the Department for Education in a senior communications role supporting South Australian schools, its valuable educators, children and young people. She brings her wealth of experience in leadership, marketing and communications to influence real-world change.
Having a passion for giving back, Gemma became an ambassador for Foodbank following her appearance on the 2019 season of My Kitchen Rules. She has appeared on Sunrise and presented at the Women of Influence and Change Makers luncheons, Zonta International and has featured in The Advertiser.
Gemma has a Masters in Business Administration, a puppy called Dory and a passion for her adult cheerleader team. When she isn’t working, you can find her swimming in the ocean, reading books or listening to Billy Joel.
Program
| Time | Activity |
| 9:30 | Registrations Open |
| 9:45 | Welcome to Country, Opening Remarks, Housekeeping |
| 10:00 | Session 1 - Panel: What is Period Justice? |
| 10:35 | Session 2 - Interviews: People Making a Difference |
| 10:55 | Session 3 - Periods: A Range of Experiences |
| 11:10 | Morning Tea & Stalls |
| 11:35 | Period Stigma: a short talk from Libby Trainor Parker |
| 11:45 | Session 4 - Workshop: A Period Charter for Change |
| 12:40 | Wrap-Up & Stalls |
| 1:00 | Conference End |
Youth Period Summit Supporters
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