We Need to Talk Association (Konuşmamız Gerek Derneği) is dedicated to increasing the accessibility, quality and sustainability of period products in Türkiye, and raising awareness about period poverty and menstruation stigma.
The association is one of the grantees of the Digital Transformation Fund, launched in partnership with the Support Foundation for Civil Society (Sivil Toplum için Destek Vakfı) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to empower civil society organisations on their digital transformation journeys.
Please read the following interview with the organisation for an insight into their work.
Can you tell us about the purpose and activities of your association?
Our association, We Need to Talk, is dedicated to promoting menstrual justice in Türkiye. We work to combat menstrual poverty and stigma, particularly among vulnerable groups like seasonal agricultural workers, rural schoolchildren, refugees, migrants, and people affected by disasters. We believe menstruation is a topic that everyone should discuss, yet current efforts in Türkiye fall short.
Our work involves field research, needs assessments, focus groups, and supporting civil society actors. We provide menstrual health training and resources to those in the field, such as advocates and community leaders. We also collect data, advocate for policy changes, and measure our social impact. Recently, we opened an office in Adana to better serve disaster-affected areas. This office acts as a hub for our activities in various provinces, storing menstrual products and hosting training sessions and events.
Menstrual education should cover not just biological and hygiene aspects but also cognitive, emotional, physical, and social dimensions.
What are the needs and demands of the target groups you work with?
In earthquake-affected areas, people face severe shortages of menstrual products, inadequate toilets, waste management issues, and limited healthcare access. These challenges underscore the importance of both immediate post-disaster menstrual support and long-term solutions. We highlight the need for more than just adding menstrual products to relief efforts. It’s also crucial to focus on waste management, safe and private spaces, proper infrastructure for electricity and water, product variety, regular support, and spreading menstrual health information.
Seasonal agricultural workers, often in remote areas, face difficulties in accessing menstrual products and clean toilets. Poor hygiene conditions, long working hours, and low incomes make it challenging to maintain necessary hygiene standards during menstruation. These issues, combined with limited access to education and healthcare, contribute to widespread reproductive health problems.
Children and young people need safe spaces to discuss their experiences with menstruation. Menstrual education should cover not just biological and hygiene aspects but also cognitive, emotional, physical, and social dimensions. We organise comprehensive, age-appropriate sessions focusing on knowledge, skills, peer support, body awareness, and interactive learning.
People with disabilities face physical access challenges, communication barriers, and a lack of accessible menstrual education. We work with organisations in the disability sector to improve the accessibility of menstrual education and create content that addresses the diverse experiences of people with disabilities.
Migrants and refugees struggle with accessing menstrual products, hygienic conditions, information, and services. Cultural norms, language barriers, and discrimination further complicate their ability to discuss menstruation and access healthcare. We provide culturally sensitive and accessible education programs and community-based support to better assist migrant and refugee women.
LGBTI+s face many challenges when discussing their menstrual experiences, particularly due to gender identity. Trans and non-binary individuals often face discrimination when speaking about menstruation, limiting their access to healthcare. We emphasise using gender-neutral and inclusive language in our education and content to support all menstruators, regardless of gender identity.
To increase menstrual awareness, we work with both menstruating and non-menstruating individuals. Raising awareness across society is crucial for gender equality and menstrual justice. Our education programs and menstrual guides for non-menstruators aim to promote healthy communication, accurate information, and support for family members, teachers, partners, and healthcare professionals.
In earthquake-affected areas, people face severe shortages of menstrual products, inadequate toilets, waste management issues, and limited healthcare access.
Can you tell us about the activities and outcomes of the “Digital Wave of Menstruation” project that you implemented with the support of our Digital Transformation Fund?
The Digital Wave of Menstruation project was a significant step for us to strengthen the digital aspect of our work in menstrual justice. While we’ve been active in the field for years, we haven’t had the chance to invest in critical areas like our website, data collection, and digital communication channels. This project was a kind of digital makeover for us.
We aimed to make our website and multilingual resources more user-friendly, create a newsletter to keep our growing community informed and establish a press release system to reinforce our advocacy efforts. Since January, our newsletter has reached over 500 subscribers, and since February, our press releases have been distributed to over 15,000 industry professionals and media outlets. We’re still working hard on our website to make it even more effective.
Your project is a great example of collaboration. Based on your experience, what kind of collaboration model is needed after a disaster?
Disasters and humanitarian crises, like the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, are challenging times for fieldwork. These situations require quick, effective, and organised responses to meet the needs on the ground. It’s crucial to adopt planned, long-term, and sustainable approaches instead of relying solely on short-term solutions.
After the earthquakes, we partnered with local women’s associations to assess needs and distribute menstrual care kits, with the support of our volunteers and other civil society organisations. We stored these kits in our Adana depot and created multilingual content for use by other stakeholders. The rapid increase in menstrual health needs after a disaster highlights the vital importance of having pre-planned collaboration models in place.
Effective disaster management requires multi-sectoral collaboration and joint action by stakeholders. Civil society organisations, local governments, public institutions, and the private sector must develop inclusive solutions. The roles of volunteers and community leaders are also critical for social solidarity. Planning, role distribution based on expertise, and strengthening collaboration are essential for disaster preparedness and coordination. Establishing logistical networks, collecting and reporting data regularly, and creating strong communication networks among collaborating organisations are all vital.
The rapid increase in menstrual health needs after a disaster highlights the vital importance of having pre-planned collaboration models in place.
What are your future plans and priorities? How has our grant support affected your future goals?
We have so many future dreams and goals that we probably can’t fit them all into this interview! But one of the most important issues on our agenda, especially as a team of mostly young women, is meaningful youth participation. The “digital wave” brought by this project has significantly supported our core program.
We’ve just launched a new phase of our work with the Menstrual Justice Ambassadors program, where 21 young people from across Türkiye will participate each year to support local advocacy efforts in menstrual justice. It’s impossible to run this program effectively without well-functioning digital channels and an updated, efficient website. With the support of Turkey Mozaik Foundation and the Support Foundation for Civil Society, we can now more easily reach our largest target group – adolescents and young adults – and inform them about advocacy and volunteering opportunities.
Do you have a message for the supporters of our Fund?
The Kahramanmaraş earthquakes have left lasting effects, and the region needs ongoing, sustainable support for recovery. While the disaster may have faded from the public’s attention, the need for assistance continues. Your support not only helps us but also strengthens the digital capacity of those working in the region. We appreciate your support and encourage long-term commitment.
Our disaster response efforts included providing menstrual products and creating safe spaces to discuss menstruation. Our women’s circles and adolescent sessions focused on access to accurate information, open discussions, and needs assessment. While these efforts address immediate needs, they also have lasting impacts on long-term health and well-being.
However, the effects of disasters continue for a long time, and so should the work related to disaster management. Therefore, sustainable support is crucial for long-term efforts in the disaster area and for future disaster preparedness. We emphasise the importance of continuity in disaster-related projects, funds, and donations to develop long-term and sustainable approaches.
