JUNE 2018

Cosmopolitan.co.za
 JUNE 2018

R37,90 (incl VAT) N$34,90 (Namibia)

Cosmopolitan.co.za
 ADVERTORIAL

BTS
The in-studio sesh with
with Our Huawei
Vodacom Cover Star

Eleanne Maake
The #HuaweiCoverStar competition kicked off on 6 April – and things
got hot real fast. The top 10 candidates were selected, and votes rolled
in from all over South Africa. Up for grabs was a Huawei P20 Pro phone,
the opportunity to appear in COSMO, and other cool prizes. In the end,
it was Eleanne Maake whose selfie made the Huawei headlines.
And then there were lights, cameras, action – and the photoshoot.
Here’s what our cover star had to say about being inspired and
wanting to make a difference.
 What gets you up
in the morning?
My mom, my little sister, my
grandmother, and other friends
and family who look up to me.
Every day, I hope to be an inspiration
to other young people. They challenge
me to love, to give, to forgive – to be me.

What are you

passionate about?
I’m passionate about spreading
a message of love, unity and faith.
Like President Cyril Ramaphosa
said in his speech, ‘Thuma Mina’
(‘send me’). I also want to be sent.
I want to get involved with organisations
that help orphans, disadvantaged
children, victims of abuse, and those
living with HIV and Aids.

What’s your dream

holiday destination?
Mauritius! I would love to experience
the majestic jewel of the Indian Ocean,
its culture and its natural wonders.

Social media:
P H OTO G R A P H Y VA L E N T I N A N I C O L ST Y L I N G C A R O L I N E O L AVA R R I E TA / L A M P O ST

good or bad?
H A I R S A A D I Q U E R Y K L I E F/ L A M P O S T M A K E U P L E S L E Y W H I T B Y/ L A M P O S T

Good. It’s how I stay connected

with the rest of the world, and
how I discover new things.

What’s your life mantra?

Be grateful. ■

Want to know more? Visit Huawei.com/za or connect on social media: HuaweimobileZA HuaweiZA huaweiza
get into it
June
38 Cover Stories

24 The Next
Demi-Leigh’s Generation
Rule Book of Beauty
for Life 48 Meet COSMO’s
19 Under 19
54 #TamponTax
MustFall
102 Shower Sex
That Doesn’t
End in the ER
116 ‘I Was R95 000
in Debt. Here’s
How I Paid It Off
in Three Years’

Inside

8 From the Editor

11 COSMO Guy

P H O T O G R A P H Y N I Q U I TA B E N TO P R I C E S C O R R E C T AT T I M E O F G O I N G T O P R E S S S TO C K I S T S O N PA G E 1 1 9
12 Best Month Ever
14 Confessions
15 COSMO Shop
16 The Quickie
17 #RealTalk
19 Beauty
29 Style
38 Features
85 Body
99 Love
109 Work
119 Stockists
Cover Info
121 Life
Photography Niquita Bento Fashion Cleo Marcopoulos Hair Elin Nyberg 127 Horoscopes
Makeup Meg Kashimura Fashion interns Nicolle Nyariri and Nia Edwards
Re-create her look with Smashbox cosmetics 128 Quiz
Her face Photo Finish Foundation Primer (R475) and Studio Skin Shaping
Foundation Stick (R535) 2.4 with Spotlight Palette (R555) Gold Her eyes Win!
Brow Tech Matte Pencil (R345) Brunette, Photo Finish Lid Primer (R295)
Light and Photo Edit Eye Shadow Trio (R385 each) It’s Fire and Nudie Pic
(Deep) with Photo Finish Lash Primer (R305) and Super Fan Mascara 108 One of two
(R345) Black Her lips Always On Liquid Lipstick (R335 each) In Demand ASUS laptops
and Rust Fund Her jumpsuit and earrings Forever New

Jumpsuit R1 499, biker jacket

R1 299, coat R1 499, earrings R149
and shoes R799, FOREVER NEW
 EDITOR’S LETTER

Period
Positive
T
hree years ago, Kiran Gandhi made

60
headlines when she free-bled through
her first marathon. The then-26-year-
old drummer for M.I.A and Harvard
Business School graduate allowed her period to
flow as she ran the London Marathon to raise
awareness for women who don’t have access to
sanitary products. For Kiran, it was also about
addressing the stigma around menstruation.
‘Culture is happy to speak about and objectify the Seconds with
parts of the body that can be sexually consumed by
others,’ she said. ‘But the moment we talk about
something that’s not for the enjoyment of others,
Demi-Leigh
We flew to New York for our
like a period, everyone becomes uncomfortable.’
world-exclusive cover shoot
Layers of secrecy and taboo have been applied
with gender-based-violence
to periods for centuries. Women have been hidden
activist, model and reigning Miss
away in poorly ventilated huts, disallowed from Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters
taking part in religious ceremonies, and told their
blood is impure and cursed. Now women are My skincare regimen:
fighting back, rallying a global movement that seeks to lift the culture of embarrassment I drink a lot of water. I always wash
and asks for period rights to be seen as human rights. Women are using periods to fight my face before I go to bed, and try
not to wear makeup on off days.
for gender equality, and to ensure their voices will be heard.
I go for a facial once a month. I also
Where society leads, business often follows. Sanitary brands have begun to break with use a single line of products from
advertising industry convention by using actual blood (instead of that weird blue liquid) in a single brand – face wash, toner
their commercials. Adverts have (oddly) skirted around what they’re actually designed for. and moisturiser.
Some still do. But much-needed education forums such as Libresse’s Vagina Varsity with My go-to item in my closet:
local YouTubers Pap Culture have helped open a dialogue around ‘that time of the month’. My black leather jacket.
Much work still needs to be done to address the injustice that surrounds periods – like My workout plan:
I train five times a week – mostly
the fact that tampons and pads are taxed as ‘luxury, nonessential items’ when products the
body-weight training. The rest of
government considers a basic necessity, such as milk, are not. It seems illogical and sexist that the time I do cardio, like running.
women are forced to pay VAT to look after their menstrual hygiene. Why are we being taxed My day on a plate:
for sanitary care that is a basic biological necessity? Not only has theh recent VAT increase For breakfast I have coffee, green
made these products even more expensive, it’s also highlighted the thousands of girls who tea and scrambled eggs with cold

P H O T O G R A P H Y N I Q U I TA B E N TO I L L U S T R AT I O N M A R I N A E S M E R A L D O
can’t afford them and are forced to compromise their health, dignity and school attendance. beef on the side – and full-cream
If we can afford to give boys free condoms, why can’t we afford to give girls free tampons? Greek yoghurt. Snacks are nuts
or dried fruit, and a protein bar or
On page 54 we investigate the period plight further, and encourage you to sign our petition shake. Lunch is a chicken salad; for
to end tampon tax in South Africa. As 28 May marks Menstrual Hygiene Day, we ask you dinner I love soup or a good fillet.
to join the menstrual activists, to make My favourite cheat food:
educated choices to have your period your I have a sweet tooth. Chocolate
way (page 85), and to fight for your rights or ice cream!
as a woman and demand a fair, non-sexist, My best New York hangout:
The Plaza Food Hall.
untaxed, period-positive world. Period.
My favourite movie:
Avatar. I love sci-fi.
Book I’m reading RN:
I’m busy with a Shonda Rhimes
novel. My next book will be
#Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso.
On my playlist:
The entire new Taylor Swift album.
Holly Meadows
Editor
 ASSOCIATED
MEDIA
EDITOR PUBLISHING
Holly Meadows
CHAIRMAN
holly@assocmedia.co.za Jane Raphaely
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Julia Raphaely
EDITORIAL/ONLINE HEAD OF ADVERTISING AND
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
DEPUTY EDITOR This month, we’re loving Leigh Kinross
Sarah Browning-de Villiers
sarah@assocmedia.co.za
a hint of pink. GROUP BRAND DIRECTOR
Emilie Gambade
MANAGING EDITOR Because a classic gin julep is even HEAD OF DIGITAL AND MARKETING
Elrike Lochner
Margot van Zyl better with grapefruit, babes! CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kassie Naidoo
CREATIVE DIRECTOR DIGITAL TRAFFIC MANAGER
Nasheeta Khan
Juan Geel DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
juan@assocmedia.co.za Blue Masoka
ART DIRECTOR DIGITAL MEDIA AND DATA STRATEGIST
Shirley Padi Marilize Nel
DIGITAL ASSISTANT Simone Smit
CHIEF COPY EDITOR HEAD OF CREATIVE STUDIO
Ania Rokita Taylor Kat de Sarigny
CREATIVE STUDIO PRODUCER/
ONLINE EDITOR ART BUYER Cindy Comer
Koketso Masuluke SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER
Nicole Williamson
CONTENT PRODUCERS INTEGRATED PROJECTS MANAGER
Lisa Katz, Busang Senne Dee Berry
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER CAMPAIGN MANAGER
Ashleigh Engel Kareesha Naidoo
MARKETING COORDINATOR
EDITORIAL INTERN Claudell van Eeden
Mandy Mbekeni MARKETING ASSISTANT
Potego Mminele
MULTIMEDIA INTERN DIGITAL MARKETING INTERN
Haybree Potgieter Nazeema Dramat
FASHION DIRECTOR CREATIVE STUDIO HEAD OF COPY
Jaime Waddington
Bev Nates CREATIVE STUDIO COPYWRITER
bev@assocmedia.co.za Celeste Jacobs
CREATIVE STUDIO ART DIRECTORS
FASHION EDITOR
Cleo Marcopoulos
Grapefruit Victoria Meder, Janine Nel

FASHION ASSISTANT
Julep CREATIVE STUDIO SENIOR DESIGNER
Jessica Cohen
Clare Robertson Pour 50ml of Tanqueray Nº TEN Gin CREATIVE STUDIO DESIGNERS
into a tall glass. Stacey Knipe, Nadine Williams
FASHION INTERN CREATIVE STUDIO PROOFREADER
Lesego Mtsolongo Squeeze and drop in a wedge of fresh Kelly-May Macdonald
pink grapefruit and a few fresh mint PRINT SUPPORT Jorika Moore
BEAUTY DIRECTOR DIGITAL SUPPORT Taryn Ballentine
Juana Parathyras leaves. Add 20ml of home-made sugar GROUP VIDEOGRAPHER/
juana@assocmedia.co.za syrup and stir well. PHOTO EDITOR Valentina Nicol
Half-fill the glass with crushed ice PRODUCTION MANAGER
JUNIOR BEAUTY EDITOR Paul Livingstone
Aphiwe Khambule and stir until it melts slightly. PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
BEAUTY WRITER Top up with crushed ice, and place Shaakira Ajam
Helen Wallace REPRO MANAGER André Reinders
a sprig of fresh mint on top DTP RETOUCHER Michelle Saunders
BEAUTY INTERN for aroma. HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION/SUPPLY
PHOTOGRAPHY DIRK PIETERS ST YLING MAYA MILLER

Kim Mockey CHAIN Marcus Newkirk

HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Silke Rathbone
COMMERCIAL HEARST MAGAZINES INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER
Senior vice president/Managing director Asia Pacific and Russia Simon Horne Director Natasha Marillier
KEY ACCOUNT MANAGERS of international licensing and business development Richard Bean Senior vice president/ HUMAN RESOURCES INTERN
Alyson Brown Editorial and brand director Kim St Clair Bodden Deputy brand director Chloe O’Brien Kirsten Marshall
Fashion/Entertainment director Kristen Ingersoll International editions editor Jacquelyn FINANCIAL MANAGER
alyson@assocmedia.co.za, Galgey Editor-in-chief, COSMOPOLITAN (1965-1997) Helen Gurley Brown
Carmen Clegg Bianca de Jongh
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
carmen@assocmedia.co.za Editors of international editions Argentina. Australia: Keshnee Kemp. Brazil: Cristina Naumovs.
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LEAD ADVERTISING CONTROLLER Pavlin. Spain: Cecilia Múzquiz Herrero. Sri Lanka: Kinita Shenoy. Turkey: Ozlem Kotan. UK:
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HEAD OFFICE (CAPE TOWN) Associated Media Publishing, Ninth Floor, 80 Strand Street, Cape Town 8001.
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IF YOU CANNOT FIND COSMOPOLITAN AT YOUR LOCAL STORE, E-MAIL POTEGO@ASSOCMEDIA.CO.ZA.

The proprietor and publisher of COSMOPOLITAN is Associated Hearst, Ninth Floor, 80 Strand Street, Cape Town 8001 Reproduction: Associated Media Repro
 cosmo guy
Nick Jonas
When he’s not stealing scenes
in big-screen flicks like Jumanji:
Welcome To The Jungle or
working on the follow-up
album to Last Year Was
Complicated, he’s busy
being a total smoke-show

Family
Matters
‘Growing up, I was Learning
the one my brothers Curve
turned to to talk ‘If I could go back
about relationships, [to before I lost my
even though I was virginity], I would
younger. When it probably tell myself
came to sex, I think that it’s important
I asked them for to have patience.
advice. Kevin was You’re not going
the romantic in the to be a professional!
family, and I’d go You’re not going to
to Joe for working be great the first
on my game.’ couple of times.
Don’t become
Clear Signals frustrated with
‘I’ve been single yourself. You’ll
for two and a half get better at sex.’
years now – and not
for lack of trying to Private
find a person I really Thoughts
connect with. When ‘Everyone I’ve dated
P H OTO G R A P H Y R OWA N DA LY CO M P I L E D BY R AC H E L M O S E LY

someone makes it would probably

clear that they’re agree that I’m a
interested and they little in my head.
want to meet up They couldn’t read
to have dinner or a me as easily as they
drink, I think that’s could other people.
really attractive.’ But that’s just who
I am. I don’t like to
reveal all my cards
– and I think that’s
actually given me
some strength.
I don’t let emotions
drive everything.’ γ

C O S M O P O L I TA N .C O . Z A | J U N E 2 0 1 8

11
best June

3
Be Wowed

month
If Shakespeare doesn’t
interest you, maybe this
will change your mind: Othello,
set in a modern-day female prison,
with an all-female cast. Yes, please!
On from 20 to 23 June at Cape

ever
Town’s Galloway Theatre.

SCAN VIA

E F U T U RE
TH
1
Create Your
Own Future
F E M A L E
IS
Learn how to take
control of your life and
challenge negative
thoughts and beliefs
at the Future Females
Personal Mastery
workshop with
Jackie Palmer on
5 June at Cape Town’s
SCAN VIA
Woodstock Exchange.

2
Start Swinging
The Soweto
International Jazz
Festival is filled with art,
music and dance. Jazz SCAN VIA
enthusiasts can look

4
forward to listening to Uncensored Fun
SAMA winner Ernie Smith, Don’t miss the naughtiest puppet
Grammy nominee Charlie show in town: award-winning musical
Wilson (left) and many Avenue Q takes Sesame Street to a new – and
other talented musicians. seriously risqué – level, tackling everything
On from 14 to 17 June at from pornography to racism via fun puppets,
the Soweto Theatre. a catchy score and a brilliant script. On until
SCAN VIA
15 July at the Pieter Toerien Theatre in Jo’burg.

C O S M O P O L I TA N .C O . Z A | J U N E 2 0 1 8

12
 6
Make
the Most
of Youth Day
SCAN VIA
Be inspired by FP&M
SETA CEO Felleng Yende
and other influential
speakers at Jo’burg’s
Orange Farm Youth
Leadership Summit
on 9 June.

SCAN VIA
What Is Youth Day?
On 16 June 1976, thousands of students

5
Get Betting! protested in the streets of Soweto
It’s one of the most against the introduction of Afrikaans
as the teaching language in schools

anticipated horse-
racing events of the year.
Bet on horses and spot the
best in celeb fashion at the
Vodacom Durban July on
7 July at Greyville Racecourse.
7
under the apartheid regime. Met by
a brutal police response, hundreds
were killed and many others injured.
Youth Day commemorates the lives
lost, the bravery of those who
protested and the power
of young people.
SCAN VIA
Stretch It Out
In honour of International Yoga Day on
21 June, join more than 1 000 yogis for one
helluva group class with instructor Joëlle Sleebos
and Adidas. The class will be held on 16 June at
the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

8 A Thousand

Listen to T his
Beginnings
And Endings
Edited by Ellen Oh
and Elsie Chapman
In this collection 11 Cinematic
of short stories, Owl City
15 authors retell Musician Adam Young
and reimagine is blessing us with a new
mythological offering this month. The
tales from Asia. album’s debut single All
Spellbinding and My Friends is a great taste 13 Love, Simon
SCAN VIA wonderfully curated. of what’s in store. Simon is a 16-year-old
gay guy awkwardly
9 Speak No Evil navigating the world.
Uzodinma Iweala Prepare to cringe, cry
Niru harbours a secret and laugh. It stars
P H OTO G R A P H Y G E T T Y I M AG E S, I STO C K P H OTO.C O M CO M P I L E D BY M A N DY M B E K E N I

that could ruin his Nick Robinson,

relationship with his Katherine Langford
conservative Nigerian and Jennifer Garner.
parents: he is queer.
This is a compelling
exploration of
self-identification
and the violence
experienced by
SCAN VIA queer individuals.

10 The Ones
With Purpose
Nozizwe Cynthia Jele
When Anele’s sister
Fikile passes away,
she has to arrange the
funeral. She is haunted
by memories of her
sister and has to deal
with family conflicts
that will affect her
future. A powerful,
SCAN VIA poignant read.
12 No Shame
Lily Allen
Lily’s fourth
studio album has been
a long time coming.
14 Jurassic World:
Fallen Kingdom
Owen and Claire are
on a mission to save
the dinosaurs that
You can look forward still live on Isla Nublar.
to her fearless sound Expect impressive
and no-f*cks-given lyrics. effects, and loads of
action and suspense. γ
confessions
You reveal your most embarrassing, ridiculous, what-was-I-thinking moments

‘I was with a guy, and ‘I went to a doctor

I told him about a pillow
I’ve had forever, and
how my friends call
it a ball-sack – because
that’s what it looks like.
Back at my place, while
we were having sex, all
my “normal” pillows fell
off the bed. Suddenly, he
said, “Is that your ball-sack?”
That’s the last thing you
want a guy you’re in bed
with to say!’ -CHAN, 25
to have a wart on my
finger checked out.
When the dermatologist
walked in, she put her
hand out. I assumed
that she wanted to
have a look, so I stuck
out my hand like royals
do. She took my hand
and laughed. I realised
she’d wanted to shake
it, not look at my wart…
I died.’ -SARAH, 24

‘I was visiting
Poland and walked
around Kraków for
the day. Back at my
hostel, a hostel-mate
told me my pants
were ripped. I’ve no
clue how long I had

P H O T O G R A P H Y A L L I E H O L L O W A Y C O N F E S S I O N S M AY H A V E B E E N E D I T E D F O R C L A R I T Y A N D L E N G T H
the rip in the middle
of my butt. I hope
my coat covered the
free show.’ -SAMMY JO, 27

‘I’m a pro Insta stalker. After I found my

potential BF’s ex’s account, I “investigated” her
– all the way to the beginning. Later, when I returned
to her page, I saw a posted screenshot featuring all
the notifications from my spree. A glitch had caused
my phone to “like” every pic as I scrolled down her
feed. She thinks I’m a fan…’ -STEVIE, 22
‘I’ve had years of braces and surgeries to get my
teeth near-perfect. When I was 16, I went camping
with my then-BF and his family. At dinner, they offered
me a mielie. Without thinking, I bit into it. I felt a crunch
– when I pulled the corn away from my mouth, my front
tooth was embedded in it. I was mortified.’ -ERICA, 23 γ

C O S M O P O L I TA N .C O . Z A | J U N E 2 0 1 8

14
 cosmo shop Stay cool with these winter-white finds

1
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1 O k o n t t ‘Q R o d e
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C O S M O P O L I TA N .C O . Z A | J U N E 2 0 1 8

15
the quickie With New Rules singer Dua Lipa

My happy place: My bed in

London. After being on the road,
I can’t wait to just sleep. Everyone
in their 20s should: Travel with
friends. I go to the Glastonbury
Festival with my mates every year.
Fave Insta account: @love.watts
has everything from amazing
photography to glittery eye
shadow. My weakness: Shoes.
My Vetements flame boots are
a new favourite. They spice up
a plain outfit. My best trait:
Kindness. And my worst: I’m
a bit bossy. I know what I want,
and sometimes trying to get my
point across is perceived as bossy.
Weirdest quirk: I eat two boiled
eggs a day. They’re a must while
travelling for work – you never
know what you’ll be served.
The last time I was really
nervous: Before going on
stage in São Paolo with Chris
Martin to perform Homesick.
Pet peeve: People eating with
their mouth open. Current #MCM:
Paul Klein. There’s no-one like him.
PHOTOGRAPHY MARKUS PRITZI

And my #WCW is: Alicia Vikander.

She was captivating in The Light
Between Oceans. My vice: Sour
sweets – always blue ones. γ

C O S M O P O L I TA N .C O . Z A | J U N E 2 0 1 8

16
 #REALTALK

Yes No
Kim Windvogel Sarah Browning-
Writer of queer poetry; de Villiers
director of Femme Projects COSMO deputy ed
Instagram: @blazingnonbinary Instagram: @sarahmarybrowning

Growing up, I thought a period was this thing that stains
your underwear. I shrugged off ideas that my mood swings
were the result of hormones because there were people with
bigger issues: people who could feel their menses being
worked out of their uterus as though somebody was punching
them in the abdomen. I called my pain-free experience ‘period
privilege’ – being able to go about your work without feeling
incapacitated. If you have ‘period privilege’ and believe we
don’t need period leave, think again.
In the name of empowerment, society tells menstruating
people they’re capable of everything. I don’t disagree: we run
the world! But this narrative can silence many menstruating
people’s experiences. A period
is our womb cleaning itself on
a cycle. How can this not affect
the way we move and feel?
It’s important that period
leave isn’t confused with sick
leave. Our period comes and
Should
goes almost every month –
it doesn’t mean we’re ‘sick’.
Everyone has access to sick
We Have
leave, but not everyone
experiences menstrual
cycles and their sometimes-
crippling pain, fatigue and
Period
emotional ups and downs.
For some, the symptoms can
be severe enough to interrupt
Leave?
their ability to work. This isn’t
‘sickness’ – it’s the reality of
being a menstruating woman.
In Zambia, women may take one day off per month, known
as ‘Mother’s Day’. The name is shrouded in gendered language,
but this day can be taken off due to menstrual cramps or
emotional wellbeing. The topic divides Zambians: many
are against this law, saying it encourages laziness. Yet many
employers say productivity has gone up and overall wellness
of menstruating people is on a better level than before.
Period leave is not unfair to those who don’t menstruate,
because they don’t have the symptoms of someone who does.
They don’t need period leave. Also, those who menstruate don’t
have to use the leave. If your symptoms aren’t incapacitating,
you continue attending work. And period leave shouldn’t be
viewed as an opportunity to run personal errands: it’s a day
to rest, go to a therapist or do the self-care you need.
In a world where periods are shrouded in stigma, we should
do more to help menstruating people manage their periods
and wellbeing while juggling the demands of daily life. A day
off in the name of a period sounds like a good place to start.
For the past 10 years, I haven’t had a period. Does that mean
I haven’t suffered pain, emotional distress, mood swings and
tiredness? Of course not. But I’ve dealt with these challenges
by going to the doctor, taking annual leave, booking in sick
leave when I needed it, or going for a walk during lunch so
I didn’t swear at Lucy from accounts. There are many ways
to manage your self-care that aren’t period leave.
Let’s say we do have period leave: would I need to prove I was
menstruating to be able to get it? What about women who’ve
had a hysterectomy? What about someone who isn’t cisgender
– someone taking female hormones while transitioning, and
dealing with the emotional and physical challenges of this?
My main issue with period
leave is that it’s not fair to the
thousands of people who deal
with chronic pain, mental
health issues and emotional
turmoil every day. There is no
bipolar leave, no miscarriage
leave, no recurring-PTSD
leave. You utilise sick, family
responsibility or annual leave
to manage the challenges you
face. You ask your boss to be
mindful of what you’re going
through. You ask co-workers
to share your workload. You
go to therapy and start meds.
Why should the challenges of
menstruation be different?
Also: leave costs money.
In uncertain economic times,
is it sustainable to expect businesses to carry the cost of period
leave? Inevitably this will trickle down through lower salaries,
fewer raises and fewer female hires. While the law may protect
women from discrimination, some companies will avoid
hiring us. It happens already: if you’re in your 20s or 30s, it’s
likely you’ve been asked by a hirer (illegally) whether you’re
planning to have kids. This isn’t just because some hirers
are douche bags, but because they’re trying to avoid costs.
Unlike me, a friend of mine has had periods for the past
10 years: cripplingly painful ones that saw her hospitalised.
She suffers from endometriosis. At one job, she used up all
her sick leave trying to manage her periods. The problem
wasn’t that she didn’t have enough leave: the problem was
sh*tty doctors not giving her the help she needed.
Not enough doctors offer good care, and there is not enough
education and empowerment available for women to demand
to have better, happier periods. Let’s rather fight for A-class
healthcare for every woman, so period leave is a non-issue. ■

C O S M O P O L I TA N .C O . Z A | J U N E 2 0 1 8

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