Interview: Gianinna Chavez of We Bleed Red

Gianinna Czareena “Ninai” Chavez is a 25-year-old feminist Filipina that advocates for period health and period visibility. Currently she is taking her Masters in Women and Development at the University of the Philippines Diliman while balancing her full-time job as an Executive Assistant at the Department of Public Works and Highways. She is also the Founder Menstruator of the We Bleed Red Movement in the Philippines.

What is We Bleed Red PH? What motivated you to start this movement?

The We Bleed Red Movement is a woman-led campaign that aims to demystify and destigmatize the word (as well as the sight of) period through HEALTHY and OPEN conversations. We offer a safe space—a community where menstruators can learn, discuss, and empower each other through their period.

What compelled me to start this movement started with a simple question, “Bakit kapag may regla ako kailangan kong itago ang napkin ko papuntang CR?” (Translation: How come every time I have my period I hide my napkin when I go to the bathroom?) In the Philippines, menstruators tend to have this trait where they hide their napkins from people when they go to  the bathroom to change. This simple question is literally what motivated me to start this movement. I realized then that menstruators are so afraid to let people know when they are menstruating. Why? When it’s so normal! When it’s natural!

How has the pandemic been for you? Has it affected your way of work with We Bleed Red?

I think we can all agree that the pandemic has been hard for all of us. However, fortunately enough, with We Bleed Red Movement our work wasn’t compromised at all especially since our movement is based online. In fact, our “work” really started during the pandemic through our Napkin Donation Drives. 

At the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, the We Bleed Red Movement has been doing Napkin Donation Drives for menstruators in need. Through the help of our partners and donors, we have donated napkins to medical frontliners, PWDs, and military personnel in San Fernando, Pampanga; medical frontliners from Ospital ng Sampaloc and Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila; stranded family members of COVID-19 patients in Fuente Circle, Cebu City; CRIBS Foundation, Incorporation, and Hand and Heart Deaf Institute.

One of We Bleed Red’s many napkin donation drives, in partnership with Whisper PH.

You don’t only advocate for menstrual equity and sustainability, you are also very vocal about other political issues such as the Junk Terror Bill. How do you stay educated and well-minded?

I guess another advantage of working at the public sector, other than serving the Filipino people, is being fully informed with current events. Plus, on a more personal note, I do believe that as a feminist and as a citizen of my country, I must be well-versed and vocal with social issues, particularly issues that affect and violate human rights. 

It is important for me to be an advocate of period and period health (and other issues) because I know, first hand, what it’s like to be discriminated based on gender and sex. I also want to, at the very least, provide a safe space for menstruators—one that I didn’t have before, where they can feel empowered, liberated, and respected for menstruating.

You are currently a women and development graduate student, how do you find your studies? Why did you decide to further pursue your education?  

I am definitely learning a lot! Short story: I used to study Masters in Film in UP then took Cinema, Gender, and Identity and Feminist Theories class as elective courses. These subjects compelled me to shift to Women and Development and start the We Bleed Red Movement! I realized that I cannot just be a feminist for the sake of being one. I had to be educated as well. I have to LIVE it. Plus, for me to effectively run an organization I know I have to learn things that I do not yet know or fully understand. 

Running an organization on your own can be very difficult and time-consuming, do you have any advice for anyone who wants to start and manage their own organization? 

I have said this to other people but I will never get tired of saying it everyday: Staying silent doesn't solve problems. Hiding it won't make it go away. Do you see a problem? Then find a way to solve it. It doesn't matter how small or big your contribution is. What matters is you care enough to take that one little step towards a better future. So, if you want to start your own organization then START IT. Don’t think about the budget right away. Don’t think about building a team immediately. You can do it on your own with minimal or maximum resources. What matters is you have that itch (kati) to provide a better future for people who cannot afford it.

Lastly, as you are from the Philippines, do you have a call to action for the Canadian Isa community?

With 4.6 millions of Filipinos jobless due to the pandemic, donations have become rare for us and we would appreciate it so much if you can donate to our Napkin Donation Drive for MENSTRUATORS IN NEED (these include medical frontliners, PWDs, sexually abused teens, homeless menstruators, etc).

UPDATE: We are also collecting donations for menstruators, mothers and infants affected by Typhoon Ulysses in Montalban, Rizal and Cagayan. You may send your donations to our PayPal account: chavezgianinna@gmail.com. Full transparency reports are added to our Facebook and Instagram account. Thank you so much!

Bonus Question: What is your dream project for We Bleed Red PH? 

My dream project for the We Bleed Red Movement is to be able to provide FREE NAPKIN VENDING MACHINES to PUBLIC SCHOOLS in remote areas. In this case, we can reach young menstruators in need who have little to no budget for pads and other menstrual products. This will lessen the burden they face whenever they are on their monthly cycle.

Bonus Question: Are there any new announcements you can share?

We are turning ONE on November 19 and we have special projects and workshops coming your way. Starting in October we’ve kicked off our series of INSTAGRAM LIVES to talk about social issues like SOGIE and SOGIE Equality Bill (October 10), ENVIROMENstrual with @periodsupplyco (October 17), Body Politics: Diversity, Feminism, and Online Activism (October 24), and many more. If you have time, tune in with us! Our Instagram is @webleedred.ph.

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You can find more of Ninai on her personal Instagram @gianinnaczareena, or email her at webleedredph@gmail.com. You can also find We Bleed Red PH on Facebook and Instagram @webleedred.ph.