Kotex South Africa has officially launched its #SayItOut movement, a campaign designed to challenge the stigma, shame, and silence often associated with menstruation. The movement kicked off at a reveal event held at Rosebank in June 2026, hosted by campaign ambassador DBN Gogo and MC Boipelo “Kgosigadi” Hlapane.
Running until December 2026, #SayItOut encourages South Africans to move away from code words, awkward whispers, and phrases like “Aunty’s here” by normalising four simple words: “I’m on my period.”
While menstruation is a normal part of life for billions of people around the world, period stigma and limited access to menstrual products remain ongoing challenges. According to UNICEF, around 1.8 billion people menstruate globally, yet many still experience shame, misinformation, and barriers that prevent open conversations about menstrual health.
Research by UNESCO Puberty Education & Menstrual Health has also highlighted that many girls miss school or face challenges during menstruation due to stigma, lack of menstrual products, and inadequate support.
Through #SayItOut, Kotex aims to help shift the conversation from secrecy to confidence, while highlighting the importance of menstrual education, dignity, and access to period products.
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At the launch, guests were invited to share personal messages about their periods, with every #SayItOut moment helping unlock a pad donation and demonstrating how simple conversation can contribute to meaningful change.
To celebrate those joining the movement, Kotex is also giving participants the opportunity to win a VIP experience to the Kwa Gogo concert this December, valued at R10,000.
The conversation has started, now it is time to say it out loud: Kotex. Say It Out. I’m on my period.
