STATESBORO — A Georgia Southern University student was inspired to hold a series of events on the Statesboro campus after writing a paper for her English class.

Gabi Wiggill, freshman psychology pre-med major, wrote a paper about feminine hygiene products’ impact on the environment and a lack of knowledge about the products themselves. She said that after talking with fellow students and her professor, she realized there was a lack of awareness surrounding these issues.

“The girl that reviewed [my paper] had no idea what a hymen was or that there is stuff like menstrual cups,” Wiggill said. “It made me think that maybe there is some real substance to this.”

Wiggill said the stigma that society has had with menstruation being unclean or a form of punishment hasn’t helped with awareness.

As Wiggill was writing her proposal on events that might help with awareness, she started to think about expanding the plan to include sexual education for all, resulting in the Student Health Awareness Initiative.

The event series is sponsored by GS Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, the Student Government Association and the University Honors Program.

Event schedule

College Sex Ed.

Wiggill said this event will be like an overview of sex education in an objective way. Nikki DiGregorio from the School of Human Ecology will speak at this event. The event will be held on Feb. 13 at the IAB in room 1020 and starts at 2:30 p.m.

Know Your Health and Resources

This event will be hosted with Planned Parenthood and will be held on Feb. 19 at the IT building in room 1005 and starts at 5 p.m.

LGBTQ+ and Trans Health

This event is open to everyone and will be open to questions after the lecture. It will be held on Feb. 26 at the IT building in room 1005 and starts at 5 p.m.

Consent Workshop

The Consent Workshop will be hosted with Planned Parenthood and will look at what consent is. The event will be held on March 4 at the IAB building in room 1020 and starts at 5:30 p.m.

Clean Green Periods

Clean Green Periods will focus on ways to help people make their menstrual cycles more environmentally friendly. The event will be held on March 11 in the IT building in room 1005 and starts at 5 p.m.

Ashton Christianson, The George-Anne News Reporter, gaeditor@georgiasouthern.edu