From October to December of 2019, Irise partnered with the Feedback Theatre to run a creative theatre project over the course of 6 weeks with year 7 students at George Green School in the Isle of Dogs. The girls engaged within drawing and language activities, as well as movement and acting tasks.The project piloted an approach using participatory theatre techniques in workshops to challenge both taboos and stigma around menstruation, aiming to create a safer space in which girls are able to learn about their own bodies.    At the beginning of the project, it was clear that the girls had alread ..read more

Endometriosis Awareness Month takes place in March, globally. The aim is to raise awareness about an underrecognized, yet extremely painful condition which affects an estimated 176 million women worldwide. Endometriosis occurs when bodily tissue, similar to that in the lining of the womb, grows outside of the uterus, such as in the ovaries and bowels. This excess growth then causes multiple symptoms and extreme pain during menstruation each month.  Symptoms of endometriosis can include pain in the lower stomach and back, pain during and after sex, pain when using the toilet, sickness, co ..read more

Donate Now Will you help Irise protect staff and communities from Coronavirus and its impact?   At this time of great worry and uncertainty for us all, I hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe and positive.   Irise has always been, first and foremost, a community of diverse people around the world coming together in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. We have already committed to come together in this spirit to fight the Coronavirus Pandemic. If you haven’t already, read our full statement here: www.irise.org.uk/blog/irise-is-a-global-community-were-here ..read more

Let’s Talk Period was an event held by the Friends of Irise, (the daughter branch of Irise International) and gathered a large crowd, all of which wanted to be part of the period conversation. The event held three panel members from different organisations who came to discuss their experience in relation to working to end period poverty. The panel included our advocacy coordinator, Acushla Young; Dr Sarita Panday, Global Challenges Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield; and Jane Poggo, the Ambassador for CRESS, a charity aiding South Sudanese refugees in Northern Uganda.    Acus ..read more

by Emily Wilson, CEO Irise International Today is a difficult day. Over the coming weeks many of us will feel afraid, isolated and alone. Irise has always been, first and foremost, a community of diverse people around the world coming together in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. This spirit will shape our response to the unprecedented challenge of the Coronavirus Pandemic. I want to let you know that you are not alone. Our network has always been spread across countries and we can stand together even as we must live increasing separate lives over the coming days. ​ Iris ..read more

Hawa Abdi Hawa Abdi was a Somali human rights activist and medical doctor. In 1983 she opened the Rural Health Development organization, which offered free obstetrician services to women. This later evolved into a 400-bed hospital, a school for 700 children, and a sustainable farm. Abdi was also the Founder and chairperson of the Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation, a non-profit organization providing health care, education and aid empowerment for the women of Somalia. Clink the link to find out more about Dr Abdi’s foundation: http://www.dhafoundation.org/about-us/  Rebecca Lee Crumpler Rebecca L ..read more

Here we have Livy and Christy, two of our star Irise Student Ambassadors! Livy and Christy received PSHE lessons at school through Irise, learning about our projects, our mission and the importance of addressing period poverty. Feeling motivated by these sessions, Christy and Livy decided to put their newly inspired passion into action and signed up to become Irise student ambassadors! Their role includes advocacy and fundraising for Irise, raising awareness and generating funds to support our work. Last year, Livy and ..read more

The first gender social norm index paints a discouraging picture of progress towards gender equality around the world. The index analyses data from 75 countries, home to more than 80% of the world’s population. It found that over half of people believe men are superior political leaders and more than 40% believe they make better business executives. ​ Pedro Conceição, director of the UNDP’s human development report office commented, “What our report shows is a pattern that repeats itself again and again. Big progress in more basic areas of participation and empowerment. But when we get t ..read more

Meet Lizzie! Lizzie is a member of the advocacy committee at Irise international and has been volunteering with us for a couple of years. Lizzie, and her partner Josh, are taking their advocacy one step further in 2020 by partaking in Irise's Empower Period Expedition fundraiser in Uganda this summer as part of Irise's overall Empower Period strategy. The expedition will involve a 6-day hike up Weissman Peak in Western Uganda, also known as 'the Mountains of the Moon'. After completing this adventurous challenge, Lizzie will then be attending our Empower Period Conference, where menstru ..read more

We’re thrilled to have been part of a ground-breaking piece of work led by Dr Julie Hennegan at John Hopkins University to develop a new tool to measure girls’ experiences of menstruation, the Menstrual Practice Needs Scale. The paper’s just, the academically inclined among you can read it here and you can access all the tools and resources here.  Why are we so excited? At Irise, we’re always looking for ways to measure what matters. Girls’ experiences of menstruation matter and the Menstrual Practice Needs Scale is a powerful tool in the following ways: 1. Building the Case We know ..read more