What I Learnt...

G.D Anderson thought she knew a lot about women as she famously once wrote ‘Feminism isn’t about making women stronger - women are already strong - it’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.’

But the activist, writer and founder of The Cova Project’s eyes were truly opened when she packed up and moved her life to Namibia and discovered for herself the dignity gap between women from developed communities in Australia and women from developing communities in rural Africa.

"I had mentally prepared myself for the malnutrition and the tuberculosis epidemic but I felt like such a fool when I visited the local store and found nappies and pads being sold individually,” she said. 

“I couldn't really fathom you might only have enough money to buy one pad during your period, and you'd have to strategise when to use that ration. 

“We joke about chocolate, rom-coms, aspirin, heat packs and Adele. Those are the comforts we ‘need’ on our period, even after having all the pads, tampons and menstrual cups we could possibly want. 

“I just had to try and make life a little easier for these women."

The Cova Project has delivered over 5,400 menstrual cups and education to women across Africa enabling them to continue on with life as usual when Aunt Flow comes knocking. 

Through community workshops, G.D has met countless women and co-run educational sessions about menstrual cups and menstrual health with experienced local partners. 

But the lessons these women have taught G.D have become her raison d’être. 

“The real skill, when working in a country you’re not from, is to listen and elevate voices from that country,” she said. 

“I lean on local expertise and recognise there is no cookie cutter formula applying to all cultures and communities. 

“I’ve learnt from young women that the most important thing about a menstrual cup is the sense of comfort and security it provides.

“Regardless of whether a girl is at school or work, she deserves the right to walk outside while menstruating without being humiliated and belittled. 

“She deserves to feel like a human being instead of some disgusting creature that should be hidden away. 

“I often lay awake trying to figure out how we can get cups to the number of girls who really need them; the number is monolithic. “It’s so hard to be proud of what we’ve accomplished when I know for every girl who now has a cup, there’s a sister or friend who doesn’t. 

“One day a million girls will have access to cups.

“I might be old and grey, but I’ll be there with a gin and tonic and a big old shipping invoice from DHL.”