Pathways Toward Gender Equality and Menstrual Cycle Education with Elisa Marian Soto Méndez

In this inspiring interview, Elisa Marian Soto Méndez shares her journey from international development to pioneering work in menstrual health and education reform in Mexico. Discover how her advocacy is transforming policies, empowering communities, and breaking taboos around menstruation and women's health. Elisa also discusses her journey into motherhood and emphasizes the immense need for better support and care during pregnancy, early motherhood and beyond. Laura and Elisa also speak on the importance of bringing boys, men, and all genders into the conversation and the need for puberty support for all. *** CW mentions of pregnancy & birth complications- if you would like to skip this section, here’s the timestamp: 45:50-58:30) *** Organización Para Chicas: FACILITATING THE PATH TOWARDS GENDER EQUALITY Elisa Marian Soto Mendez is a policy and regulatory specialist with experience in international financial governance, regulatory analysis, and stakeholder engagement. She has worked with institutions including the World Bank Group and the Central Bank of Ireland, with a focus on financial regulation and consumer protection. Elisa has also led internationally recognised social responsibility initiatives in Mexico, contributing to gender-inclusive education reform and advancing policy impact at both national and multilateral levels through her NGO Organización Para Chicas A.C. Organización Para Chicas A.C. Website Instagram Mentioned in the Episode: Social Responsibility Award, University of Manchester UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education World Bank Group GATE Program, Sociomedical Sciences (SMS) Department at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Menstruación Digna México Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement by Nadya Okamoto Keywords: menstruation, women's health, education reform, Mexico, policy change, menstrual products, gender equality, water sanitation, environmental impact, advocacy, endometriosis, pregnancy, postpartum, menstrual cycle awareness