Menstrual Cycle Festival 4th Edition
- Milan will host the fourth annual Menstrual cycle Festival, titled "Si-Cura," from May 16-18, 2025, at Rob de Matt, a bistrot and social inclusion center in the Diegano...
- The festival aims to provide an inclusive space for discussion, education, and awareness regarding menstrual, sexual, and reproductive health, topics often marginalized.
- The festival's opening evening on May 16 will feature Ada Colau, the former mayor of Barcelona, known for her work in transforming public spaces into areas of listening,...
Milan to Host Menstrual Cycle Festival Focused on Safety and Awareness
Table of Contents
- Milan to Host Menstrual Cycle Festival Focused on Safety and Awareness
- Former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau to Open Festival
- Art, Music, and Discussions to Challenge Taboos
- Campaign to Combat Period Poverty
- “Period Power Health” Project Launched
- Mobile Counter for Wider Access
- Festival Aims to Change the Narrative
- Milan to Host Menstrual Cycle Festival: Your Questions Answered
- What is the Menstrual Cycle Festival in Milan?
- what is the focus of this year’s festival?
- What topics will be discussed at the festival?
- Who is opening the festival?
- What activities will be available during the festival?
- Are there initiatives to address period poverty?
- Who is supporting the “Let’s Absorb Period Poverty” campaign?
- What is the “Period power Health” project?
- Were are the menstrual health counters located?
- How can I make a reservation for the menstrual health counters?
- Is there a mobile counter for wider access?
- What are the key goals of the Menstrual Cycle Festival?
- Will there be any talks about the data collected from the menstrual health counters?
Milan will host the fourth annual Menstrual cycle Festival, titled “Si-Cura,” from May 16-18, 2025, at Rob de Matt, a bistrot and social inclusion center in the Diegano district. This year’s festival centers on the theme of safety, emphasizing self-knowledge, personal care, and community support rather than control or limitation.
The festival aims to provide an inclusive space for discussion, education, and awareness regarding menstrual, sexual, and reproductive health, topics often marginalized. organizers hope to foster safe environments where individuals can openly discuss cyclicality and health, challenging stigmas and dismantling taboos.
Former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau to Open Festival
The festival’s opening evening on May 16 will feature Ada Colau, the former mayor of Barcelona, known for her work in transforming public spaces into areas of listening, care, and participation. She will be joined by Gaia Romani, a councilor from the Municipality of Milan, Anita Pirovano, president of Town Hall 9, and representatives from Milanese universities for a discussion on creating a menstruo-friendly city.
Art, Music, and Discussions to Challenge Taboos
The festival program on saturday, May 17, and Sunday, may 18, includes artistic performances, stand-up comedy, DJ sets, workshops, and talks. Topics will include the safety of menstrual products, the various phases of menstrual life, sexuality, and overall well-being. Organizations like This Unique, which offers menstrual health products, and artists such as Sara Santi from the musical duo Queen of Saba, who addresses gender norms through electronic music, will participate.
Campaign to Combat Period Poverty
A campaign called “Let’s Absorb Period Poverty” will collect menstrual products for individuals facing economic hardship throughout the festival. Valentina Lucia Fontana,a festival co-organizer,noted that 16% of people in Italy struggle to afford necessary menstrual products. “With this initiative, we want to raise awareness and take concrete action,” she saeid.
UPS has contributed over 13,000 menstrual products to the campaign and is collaborating with local organizations such as the Arca Progetto Foundation,CAMs,and sports centers in Town Hall 9. Nicolò Sgreva, director of community relations for UPS, stated that supporting access to hygiene products breaks down barriers, restores dignity, and strengthens communities.
“Period Power Health” Project Launched
A key highlight of this year’s festival is the launch of “Period Power Health: Menstrual Health of Proximity,” a project funded by the municipality of Milan. This initiative expands the network of menstrual health counters from two to five locations across the city. These counters offer support and consultations on topics such as menarche, menopause, menstrual pain, fertility, contraception, pregnancy, and postpartum care, provided by specialized professionals like midwives, educators, and counselors.Organizers say this service is unique in Italy and designed to meet the needs of individuals experiencing cyclicality.
The new counter locations are:
- Town Hall 2: Nama-New Martesana amphitheater (Tuesdays, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
- Town Hall 6: Spazio seicentro (Thursdays, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
- Town hall 8: Centro Milano Donna (tuesdays, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
Reservations can be made through the website and the Geen App, an Italian startup focused on inclusion and innovation.
Mobile Counter for Wider Access
To further expand access,the project includes a mobile counter that will visit neighborhoods and areas where reaching fixed locations is difficult. This mobile service will be available during the Menstrual Cycle Festival, introducing the project to new audiences. Initial data from the counters will be presented during the “si-Curi Services” talk on Saturday, May 17, at 5:00 PM, highlighting the demand for these services.
Festival Aims to Change the Narrative
The Menstrual Cycle Festival was founded to change the conversation around menstruation,recognizing it as a crucial aspect of public health and gender equality. In a society where menstruation is often stigmatized or silenced, events like this serve as tools for cultural change.
discussing menstruation is not only a health issue but also an act of freedom, challenging stereotypes and building a more equitable and conscious society. The fourth edition of the festival contributes to this movement by providing resources, spaces, and language for a new understanding of cyclicality.
Milan to Host Menstrual Cycle Festival: Your Questions Answered
What is the Menstrual Cycle Festival in Milan?
The Menstrual Cycle Festival,titled “Si-Cura,” is an annual event held in Milan,Italy. It’s a space dedicated to promoting awareness, education, and open discussion about menstrual, sexual, and reproductive health. The fourth edition will take place from May 16-18,2025,at Rob de Matt,a bistrot and social inclusion center in the Diegano district.
what is the focus of this year’s festival?
This year’s festival centers on the theme of safety, emphasizing self-knowledge, personal care, and community support. The aim is to move beyond the idea of control or limitation and foster a supportive environment for individuals.
What topics will be discussed at the festival?
The festival will cover a range of topics related to menstrual, sexual, and reproductive health, including:
Safety of menstrual products.
Various phases of the menstrual cycle.
Sexuality.
Overall well-being.
Menarche (first period).
Menstrual pain.
Fertility.
Contraception.
Pregnancy and postpartum care.
Who is opening the festival?
the opening evening on May 16 will feature Ada Colau, the former mayor of Barcelona. she will be joined by Gaia Romani, a councilor from the Municipality of Milan, Anita pirovano, president of Town Hall 9, and representatives from milanese universities. They will discuss creating a menstruo-pleasant city.
What activities will be available during the festival?
The festival program will include a variety of activities, such as:
Artistic performances.
Stand-up comedy.
DJ sets.
Workshops.
Talks.
These activities aim to challenge taboos and create a more inclusive dialog about menstruation.
Are there initiatives to address period poverty?
Yes! A campaign called “Let’s Absorb Period Poverty” will collect menstrual products for individuals facing economic hardship. According to festival co-organizer Valentina Lucia Fontana, 16% of people in Italy struggle to afford necessary menstrual products.
Who is supporting the “Let’s Absorb Period Poverty” campaign?
UPS has contributed over 13,000 menstrual products to the campaign.They are also collaborating with local organizations such as the Arca Progetto Foundation, CAMs, and sports centers in Town Hall 9.
What is the “Period power Health” project?
“Period power Health: Menstrual Health of Proximity” is a project funded by the municipality of Milan. It expands the network of menstrual health counters across the city. These counters offer support and consultations on various topics related to menstrual health.
Were are the menstrual health counters located?
The new counter locations are:
town Hall 2: Nama-New Martesana amphitheater (Tuesdays, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
Town Hall 6: Spazio seicentro (thursdays, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
Town hall 8: Centro milano Donna (Tuesdays, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
How can I make a reservation for the menstrual health counters?
Reservations can be made through the website and the Geen App.
Is there a mobile counter for wider access?
yes, a mobile counter will visit neighborhoods and areas where reaching fixed locations is difficult. This mobile service will be available during the Menstrual Cycle Festival.
What are the key goals of the Menstrual Cycle Festival?
The festival aims to:
Change the conversation around menstruation.
Recognize menstruation as a crucial aspect of public health and gender equality.
Challenge stigmas and break down taboos surrounding menstruation.
Provide resources, spaces, and language for a new understanding of cyclicality.
Will there be any talks about the data collected from the menstrual health counters?
Yes, initial data from the counters will be presented during the “