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Indi-Genius PodcastAuthor: Strong Enough Girls
A podcast series using creative oral storytelling to document and share real-life experiences of grassroots family planning leaders in Nigeria and the Republic of Niger with the aim of facilitating knowledge exchange and highlighting what works and what doesnt in reproductive health programming. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Sexuality Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Becoming a Big Girl: My First Period Story
Episode 19
Sunday, 26 October, 2025
In this episode of the Indi-Genius Podcast, Fatima reminds us that every girl’s body grows at its own pace and that menstruation should never be a source of shame, confusion, or stigma.From being told “it’s a big girl’s thing” to being teased for something she didn’t yet understand, Fatima’s story shows why accurate information and supportive conversations at home and in school are essential for girls to feel confident in their bodies.English Transcript:Hello and welcome to season two of the Indi-Genius Podcast for Sexual and Reproductive Health, a platform where young voices share real stories about sexual and reproductive health in our communities. I am your host, Queen Ugwoeru, and today we are joined by one of our Indi-Genius champions from Abuja. Please join me in welcoming Fatima Sani.A young person who is making a difference in her community. Fatima, the mic is yours.On the morning assembly and with the students trying to meet up at the assembly. But on just like every other Fridays, something happened this particular Friday where we being mentored on menstruation. So as at then I did not really feel there was a need for me to learn. But after then when I got into my SS1, I had friends that I've already started seeing their period. I was like, oh, I wanted to learn then but they were not really making me feel that comfortable. So there was this girl called Glory, she was in my class and I met her a day, me and my friends. So she was crying. When we asked her what was the issue, she was like, she was having cramps. And I was like, what was cramps? Because I had no idea then.Actually my friends understood but I didn't so when I asked my friends they like it's a big girl's stuff that I'm not supposed to know. I was pained at that moment but looking at the fact that I'm not even their mate, I'm way older than them but they are like it's a big girl's stuff. It made me feel very very very very very bad. So I was in the mind that I will surely start seeing my period.During the second term, I actually started seeing my period. I saw it in the shop. It came in the shop. A guy told me that I was stinking. I was like, stinking. Why would I be stinking? I was actually small. So he said I should check. When I checked, I was like, yay. Like it has finally come. I was very happy then. I was very, very, very happy. But when I told my mom, she was a little bit disheartened. I am not supposed to start saying anything that I am still small but I was very happy because yes finally I now belong to my friends. When I told them they were like uh-uh you are now a big girl and stuff like that so I was having that impression So my advice to young minds is just that if you did not see your period on time just calm down there is nothing there. There is no big deal when the time comes, it will come that's what I said thank youThank you Fatima for sharing your story. It shows us that when parents talk openly about menstruation, girls grow up feeling prepared, confident and empowered.Whether you're listening from a city, village or anywhere in the world, your voice matters. And just like our champion, you too can make a difference in advancing sexual and reproductive health for young people. This has been another episode of the Indigenous Podcast brought to you by Strong Enough Girls Empowerment Initiative and made possible by the support from the core group. The future soundtrack is by Advanced Universe.Do not miss any episode. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify, Anchor, or wherever you get your podcasts from. And don't forget to turn on the notifications. And if you liked today's episode, please like, rate, review, download, or share. You can also follow us on Instagram at indigenious underscore podcast. Until next time, stay bold and keep using your voice. Bye.
