Kotex Launches #SayItOut Campaign To Promote Menstrual Health Awareness
Kotex South Africa has launched the #SayItOut movement, a national campaign aimed at tackling period stigma by encouraging South Africans to speak openly about menstruation.
The campaign, unveiled at an event in Rosebank in June, is calling on people to ditch euphemisms such as “Aunty’s here” and instead normalise saying, “I’m on my period.”
Hosted by campaign ambassador DBN Gogo and MC Boipelo “Kgosigadi” Hlapane, the initiative will run until December 2026 and seeks to promote menstrual dignity, education and access to period products.
Period Stigma Remains A Global Challenge
Despite menstruation being a natural part of life, stigma and misinformation continue to affect millions of people around the world.
According to UNICEF, around 1.8 billion people menstruate globally, yet many still experience shame, discrimination and barriers to accessing menstrual products and education.
UNESCO has also found that period stigma, coupled with inadequate menstrual hygiene facilities and limited access to sanitary products, contributes to many girls missing school during their menstrual cycles.
Kotex says the campaign aims to help change these perceptions by encouraging more open and honest conversations about periods.
Conversations That Give Back
As part of the campaign launch, guests were invited to write personal messages about their experiences with menstruation. Every #SayItOut message helped unlock a sanitary pad donation, linking conversations about periods to meaningful community support.
To encourage wider participation, Kotex is also offering consumers the chance to win a VIP experience worth R10,000 to the Kwa Gogo concert taking place in December.
Running until the end of the year, the #SayItOut movement aims to turn everyday conversations into an opportunity to challenge stigma and normalise discussions around menstrual health.