Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu wants to normalize talks about menstrual health: 'Let me mind my period'

Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu on Tuesday spoke up about normalizing talks about menstrual health.

During a talk at Hilton Manila, Harnaaz encouraged a crowd of young women to debunk the stigma that menstrual health should not be talked about. Instead, it should be highly discussed by women to have proper support and access to menstrual health and hygiene.

“I stand before you and with you this day, we, as women, menstruate every month and it is normal part of being a female. Let me mind my period,” Harnaaz said.

She also mentioned that she continuously works with different groups and individuals to convert what she calls “period poverty to period powerty,” so that women everywhere can have greater access to the knowledge and tools they need to improve their state of menstrual health.

Harnaaz added that she is excited to work with various organizations in the Philippines to help provide Filipino women, especially the teens, with everything they need for better management of their period—physically, emotionally, and socially.

“Every woman in this room either has, have, or will have a period. And let me tell you, we all got you. Don’t let that stain, stain your mind,” she said.

Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez and the candidates of Miss Universe Philippines 2022 were also present during the event.

During her speech, Bea emphasized the importance of empowering Filipina teens to "take charge of their menstrual hygiene and health."

“We can do this by teaching them what to do, providing them with what they need, and helping them build new and healthier habits especially as they slowly but surely go back out into the world," she said. —JCB, GMA News