Candice Chirwa Redefines Health Justice, as The Minister of Menstruation
Words by iQhawe Magazine
For me, menstrual justice isn’t just about access to pads or tampons; it’s about dignity, equality, and opportunity.
— Candice Chirwa
Candice Chirwa, widely and affectionately known as the Minister of Menstruation, has spent the past eight years proving that menstrual health is not just a health issue, it’s a human rights issue. “Policies should integrate menstrual health into broader health, education, and social equity programs,” she explains. “This ensures that it is recognized not just as a women’s issue but as a human rights and social justice priority. As the Founder and Director of QRATE, Candice has led programs reaching over 10,000 young people across South Africa, normalizing conversations around periods and equipping communities with tools to advocate for change.
Her work has earned recognition from Forbes Africa, Mail & Guardian, and Constitution Hill, but what sustains her most is not the accolades but the lives that have been changed even in the smallest of ways. Currently pursuing her PhD in International Relations, she continues to merge academic insight with grassroots activism, making the case that menstrual health belongs at the center of gender equity.
We sit with Candice to talk about her chosen tools of education, advocacy, and youth leadership to push menstrual health into the broader struggle for health justice.
Menstruation is still surrounded by stigma and silence. How do you use education and advocacy to challenge cultural taboos while keeping the conversation relatable to young people?
Menstruation is still one of those topics that makes people blush or whisper but it shouldn’t be. For me, it’s personal. I got my first period at 10, completely unprepared, and that memory drives everything I do. I know what it feels like to be confused, embarrassed, and silenced and I want every young person to feel the opposite: informed, supported, and proud. Through QRATE and our #PeriodPositiveTour, I don’t just teach about periods. I share stories, laugh with young people, and create spaces where it’s okay to ask “awkward” questions. I often start by sharing my own experiences, and suddenly, the room feels lighter, open, and honest.
We use interactive games, relatable pop culture references, and social media challenges to make learning about periods fun, real, and approachable. Advocacy is part of the mix too. I work with schools, communities, and policymakers to show that periods aren’t a secret to hide, they’re a normal, natural part of life that deserves attention, products, and support. My goal is simple: turn whispers into conversations, shame into curiosity, and isolation into community.
Many young Black girls experience period poverty in ways that impact their schooling and dignity. How do you see menstrual justice as part of the larger struggle for health justice?
For me, menstrual justice isn’t just about access to pads or tampons, it’s about dignity, equality, and opportunity. I’ve seen firsthand how period poverty affects young Black girls: missing school because they don’t have products, feeling ashamed or isolated, and internalizing the idea that their bodies are a burden. These experiences aren’t just about periods, they’re about systemic inequality, health inequity, and social exclusion. Menstrual justice is a gateway to broader health justice. When we ensure that every young person can manage their periods safely and with dignity, we’re also addressing gaps in education, reproductive health, and access to essential resources.
Through my work with QRATE, I advocate for policies, programs, and partnerships that place menstrual health at the heart of public health. We combine education, product distribution, and advocacy to empower young people while holding systems accountable. At its core, menstrual justice is about respecting bodies, valuing health, and challenging inequality. It’s about saying: your health, your education, and your dignity matter—period. When we fight for menstrual justice, we’re fighting for health justice, social justice, and the right for everyone to thrive without shame or barriers.
Looking forward, what changes (policy, cultural, or systemic) would you most like to see in how menstrual health is addressed in South Africa?
Looking ahead, I would love to see menstrual health treated as a normal and essential part of public health and education in South Africa. Culturally, I hope for a shift where periods are spoken about openly and without shame, where young people feel comfortable asking questions and sharing experiences. Schools should provide comprehensive menstrual health education that goes beyond biology, addressing stigma, dignity, and the social realities that affect young menstruators. On a systemic level, I would like to see universal access to menstrual products so that no young person misses school or opportunities because they cannot afford them.
Policies should integrate menstrual health into broader health, education, and social equity programs, ensuring that it is recognized not just as a women’s issue but as a human rights and social justice priority. Finally, I hope to see stronger collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector to create innovative solutions and amplify impact. Menstrual health should not be invisible—it should be celebrated, supported, and embedded into the very fabric of our health and education systems.
“I’m deeply sustained by the communities I serve. Hearing from young people whose lives have been changed, even in small ways, is an endless source of motivation.”
What challenges did you face as a young Black professional or activist entering this space, and how did you navigate them?
Entering the menstrual health space as a young Black professional came with a unique set of challenges. When I founded QRATE at 21, I often faced skepticism; people questioned my experience, my age, and even whether a young woman could lead meaningful change in a space traditionally overlooked by policymakers and institutions. At times, doors were closed not because of my ideas, but because of who I was, and that could be discouraging. Navigating these challenges required resilience, creativity, and a willingness to prove my vision through action rather than words.
I leaned on mentorship, sought out collaborations with both grassroots organizations and institutional actors, and let my work speak for itself. I focused on building trust within communities, showing that I was present, committed, and accountable. Sharing my own story, my first period at age 10, unprepared and unsupported, helped humanize my advocacy and connect with others on a deeply personal level. I also had to redefine what “professionalism” looks like in this space, blending activism, entrepreneurship, and scholarship in ways that were sometimes unconventional but always authentic. Over time, this approach not only helped me gain credibility but also allowed me to shape menstrual health discourse in South Africa in ways that are inclusive, relatable, and impactful.
Beyond your public work, what practices, values, or communities sustain you and keep you grounded on this journey?
Beyond the public work, what keeps me grounded are connection, reflection, and intentional self-care. My closest friends are my sounding boards and sources of laughter and perspective; they remind me that my work is part of a bigger life, and not all of it has to be serious. I also carve out time for reading, journaling, and research, which allows me to reflect on both my personal journey and the systemic changes I’m trying to influence. I’m deeply sustained by the communities I serve.
Hearing from young people whose lives have been changed, even in small ways, is an endless source of motivation. Their resilience, creativity, and honesty remind me why I started this work in the first place. Finally, my values of authenticity, empathy, and curiosity anchor me. They guide how I show up, how I lead QRATE, and how I engage with partners, peers, and policymakers. Grounding myself in these practices and communities ensures that my activism is not only impactful but also sustainable, joyful, and deeply connected to the people and purpose at the heart of it.
Young people are often framed as “beneficiaries” of health programs, but not as leaders. How do you see the role of youth leadership in shaping more just and equitable health systems?
For me, youth leadership is about imagination and courage. When I first stepped into this work, I didn’t have all the answers, but I had a deep conviction that things could be different. Young people have that gift: the ability to question why things are the way they are, and the boldness to reimagine health systems that are fairer and more humane. I’ve seen how young leaders transform conversations around health. In my menstrual health work, it’s often the students themselves who come up with the most brilliant ideas for tackling stigma whether it’s creating peer-support clubs, using TikTok to start conversations, or challenging teachers to update outdated curriculums.
This is proof that young people don’t just understand the issues, they actively design solutions that work in their own contexts. Youth leadership also shifts the culture. When young people are visible at decision-making tables, it sends a powerful message: health systems must reflect the needs and dignity of those they serve. And honestly, we bring the urgency, creativity, and energy that keeps the fight for justice alive. That’s why I see youth not as “beneficiaries,” but as the heartbeat of building equitable health systems.
