Candice Chirwa talks period power, policy and progress
She is News 24's 2024 Young Mandela in the Humanitarianism category.
Her close friend gave her the nickname 'Minister of Menstruation' after noticing how passionate she was.
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At just 10 years old, Candice Chirwa - now a renowned South African speaker, author, academic, and activist - first showed signs of the passion that would shape her purpose.
Dubbed the 'Minister of Menstruation' by a friend who was moved by her fierce commitment to menstrual health, the nickname struck.
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Over time, the meaning deepened for Candice: 'For me, being the 'Minister of Menstruation' is about normalising conversations around periods, breaking the stigma, and advocating for dignity and access especially in communities that are often overlooked.'
While playing these different roles in academia and public speaking has never been easy, Candice notes how they all feed into each other.
'I've always believed that research shouldn't just sit on a library shelf. What's the point of knowledge if it doesn't reach people who can use it? My academic work gives my activism depth, it allows me to trace patterns, ask harder questions and back up my advocacy with evidence. At the same time, my public work, whether it's writing, speaking or doing workshops, keeps me grounded in the realities people face every day,' she shares.
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Inside Flo: The book about menstruation
Behind the book she co-authored with Karen Jeynes, Pontsho Pilane and Claire Fourie lies a powerful purpose: addressing the urgent need for menstrual health education. Candice highlights how harmful beliefs like the notion that periods are impure remain deeply embedded in many South African communities.
Myths such as tampons affecting virginity continue to persist, revealing just how much work needs to be done.
'I've had so many teenagers ask me in hushed voices whether they're still 'pure' after using a tampon. It breaks my heart that something as empowering as menstrual choice becomes a source of anxiety. And of course, the myth that menstruation is just a 'women's issue' is still alive and well.'
They wanted young people to have easy access to medically accurate, reliable information but also to real stories from real menstruators.
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From topics ranging from endometriosis to period sex and how mental health intersects with the menstrual cycle, they wanted overly clinical conversations to be connected to lived experiences.
Even with Menstruation Station, her latest comic book for kids aged eight years and older, it is more playful and visually engaging way to start the conversation earlier.
The heart of what she does
More than anything, Candice wants periods to be a conversation for all:
'It's not just about hygiene, it's about justice. My feminism shows up in how I advocate, who I centre and how I challenge systems that keep menstruators silent or invisible.'
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It's important that we treat menstrual health as a normal part of everyday life, not as something shameful, awkward or taboo.
She wishes someone spoke to the younger version of her in a normal, comfortable and kind way.
'I also want to see menstrual health education expanded in Life Orientation, not just as a brief biology lesson but as a comprehensive, age-appropriate and inclusive conversation that involves all learners, regardless of gender. Including boys and non-menstruating individuals in these discussions is crucial if we're serious about dismantling stigma and creating more empathetic, informed communities.'
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