HEAR THEM Roar

Through resilience and determination, these three extraordinary South African women have emerged as trailblazers. Here's how Candice Chirwa, Mushfiqoh Samodien and Julia Stuart make the impossible possible and the world a better place.

- CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

CANDICE CHIRWA

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE

Unwavering in her fight to destigmatise menstruation and end 'period poverty', Candice is affectionately known as the 'Minister of Menstruation'. This passionate gender activist offers "eduliftment" with her NPO, Qrate (pronounced 'curate').

She has written two books - Perils of Patriarchy (2020) and Flow: The Book About Menstruation (2021) - and contributed to V: An Empowering Celebration of the Vulva and Vagina (2023), a publication that encourages shame-free conversations about womanhood. She's also working on her PhD, and is on the WWF Nedbank Green Trust's board.

Already a strong-willed fire-starter in her mid-20s, Candice grew up with a passion for community work and empowerment. "I always loved reading to learn about new perspectives," she says. "There's a motto at my old high school, De La Salle Holy Cross College [in Johannesburg], that goes: 'Be first so you may be of service.' And that embodied my love for giving back to communities."

Candice's journey as a social activist began at Wits University. At 21, she was a junior research consultant for the United Nations, investigating different eastern and southern African countries' policies regarding menstrual health.

"That sparked my curiosity to conduct further research for my Master's degree," she says. "The research I did on how young girls felt when they first had their period motivated me to create Qrate, and conduct fun and informative workshops to change the disempowering narrative surrounding menstruation."

Through the coverage of these workshops on social media, the term 'Minister of Menstruation' came about. Candice has embraced this title, creating a positive platform for anyone to ask questions about menstrual health and drive period positivity and education.