Period equality, menstrual health and social change: Emily Wilson and Calum Smith, Irise

How can we break the vicious cycle of period poverty and the shaming and stigma which so many people experience around menstruation? What’s the best way to advocate for social change and make a real impact? How do you measure what matters? And what makes an effective leader?In this episode of Business Live we’re joined by Emily Wilson, Co-founder and CEO of Irise International, and Calum Smith, the charity’s Head of Operations.Irise is a global leader in menstrual health programming, research, advocacy and policy development, transforming peoples’ lives through period equality.  It works in the UK and East Africa and this wide ranging interview covers Irise’s mission to create a world where people can realise their potential unlimited by their periods, through its research, partnerships, advocacy and programmes.Simple policy changes can have a big and powerful impact, as Emily describes, though there’s much work to do. She covers co-founding Irise in east Africa and how learning of the UK’s “blind-spot” in terms of menstrual health led to Irise working here too (and Emily is now working with the UK Government on their Period Poverty Task Force).The show also covers leadership, with some powerful insights about what makes an effective leader; plus exclusion and inclusivity, whether through language* or though digital communication tools.Emily and Calum also discuss Irise’s work setting up and catalysing community owned businesses and micro businesses, and how this has not only had a powerful economic impact, it has changed gender dynamics too. Plus there’s essential advice for anyone wanting to advocate for social change.