At Busan Foreign School (BFS), student leadership is about more than titles — it’s about making a difference. The For Girls Club, led by passionate high school students, is doing just that by tackling the issue of period poverty through awareness campaigns and fundraising efforts.

What Is Period Poverty?

Period poverty refers to the lack of access to menstrual products, education, and sanitation facilities that many women and girls face — not only around the world but also here in Korea.
These barriers can lead to missed school days, health challenges, and stigma, impacting both education and equality.

Student Leadership in Action

At Busan Foreign School, members of the For Girls Club have made it their mission to raise awareness about this important issue within the school community and beyond. Through creative campaigns, informative presentations, and engaging events, they’ve sparked meaningful conversations about menstrual equity.

Recently, the club hosted a successful fundraiser, “For Girls Fall Goodies,” where students raised over ₩1 million while sharing informative facts about period poverty through messages on their goods.

At the end of the last school year, their continued fundraising efforts resulted in a ₩2 million donation to Good Neighbors, supporting programs that provide women’s health products and education in communities where they are most needed.

“In a place where period poverty isn’t widely talked about, For Girls Club focuses on raising awareness and breaking the stigma. We try to make every event — from fundraisers to info sessions — something that shares our message and gets more students involved in creating change,” said Joy Cho, club president.

Living the SHARK Values

The For Girls Club embodies what it means to live the #BFSSharkValues every day:

• Socially Conscious → Advocating for women’s health and equity.

• Hardworking → Planning and executing awareness campaigns and events.

• Active Communicators → Opening dialogue around a topic often left unspoken.

• Respectful → Challenging stigma while fostering understanding.

• Keep Learning → Researching global issues and sharing knowledge with others.

A Culture of Care

By addressing period poverty, the BFS For Girls Club demonstrates what it means to lead with compassion and courage. Their commitment to advocacy reflects a school culture that values care, curiosity, and community involvement.

At Busan Foreign School, students are encouraged to take initiative, ask difficult questions, and stand up for meaningful causes. Through their leadership, the For Girls Club reminds us that true leadership starts with empathy and action.

Congratulations to the For Girls Club for leading with purpose — and inspiring others to do the same.