we are
by challenging taboos around menstruation in Lebanon and understanding menstrual experiences as collective and political issues.
We campaign against period poverty and advocate for equitable access to menstrual care for all.
Based on the common euphemism to say “I have my period”, ‘Jeyetna’ in Lebanese Arabic‘ means ‘we are coming’. The fact that a euphemism is even needed illustrates the problem we have in terms of shame and silence around menstruation.
Lebanon was already in an economic crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic was ongoing and prices of everyday items began to triple. Period products became unaffordable for many and government subsidies on essential items did not include menstrual products.
In response, feminist, filmmaker and activist, Evelina Llewellyn, urgently started engaging in emergency efforts in Lebanon to address period poverty. In November 2020 Evelina and an all female Lebanese team produced the documentary, Jeyetna, portraying stories of period poverty across the region.
The festival would use the documentary as a tool to start conversations about menstrual experiences in different communities and distribute a range of disposable and reusable products.
Throughout the Summer of 2021, at the peak of the fuel crisis in Lebanon, we organised 12 awareness events, screening the documentary and hosting discussion circles around menstrual experiences and products, and distributing reusable and disposable menstrual products to the attendees.
Since then, we have been organising events in the same format through collaboration with sister organisations around the country and with different communities in Beirut.
Many women and menstruating individuals go through life carrying shame and enforced ignorance about their bodies.
The lack of education about women’s health leads to significant issues, such as women missing school or work, serious health issues due to lack of access to clean bathrooms and menstrual products or avoiding seeking medical care for minor problems that then become more severe. This can result in illness, depression, fear, and in extreme cases suicide. All of these are reinforced by the individualised lens that menstrual experiences suffer from. Jeyetna works towards their collectivisation and politicisation.
Run 35 events in 8 different regions of Lebanon.
Distributed products to 1000 women and 500 girls.
Run 5 online period discussion circles.
Screened the documentary three times in France in collaboration with Cinema la Clef, les Valises pour Beyrouth and Règles Élémentaires.
Collaborated with more than 25 groups and local and international NGOs and nonprofits.
Featured in several publications including The New Humanitarian and The New Arab.
Through our Instagram page we raise awareness of the issues of and around period poverty. In 2021 we orchestrated a social media campaign, #talk_about_it to help break the visual taboos around menstruation. It was important for us to use the colour red in various tones to accurately depict menstrual blood, this is in direct contrast to the way menstrual blood is shown in advertising and education.
In June 2022 Jeyetna was invited as Youth Representative to open the first ever panel on menstrual hygiene management at the United Nations 50th Human rights council in Geneva.
Knowledge of period poverty and research into menstrual experiences is scarce globally and even more so in Lebanon. To address this, we plan to build on our current knowledge and develop comprehensive archives to provide accessible and contextually relevant information for everyone.
Our goal is to collaborate with partners to conduct participatory research projects in various communities in Lebanon. By doing so, we aim to highlight and raise awareness of the realities of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and continue advocating for better support for all.
A donation of just $15 can provide a woman with reusable menstrual products to last up to ten years. If you would like to help us support as many people as possible, head to our Get Involved page.
Our collective is made up of young Lebanese women and queer individuals. In a highly centralised country, we strive to establish a network of Jeyetna advocates within their own communities across Lebanon.
