With the tagline “Love Thy Cervix!” the grassroots movement Beautiful Cervix Project is here to stay. The project aims to provide “accessible information about women’s fertility and menstrual cycles and showcases photographs documenting changes in the cervix and cervical fluid throughout the cycle.” The creators hope to inspire women to learn more about their bodies by performing cervical self-exams. The project is meant to “promote respect, confidence, and health.”
By putting knowledge in the hands of women, the empowering movement hopes to “contradict shame and misinformation around reproductive health and choices.” The photos featured in the project’s gallery are diverse, chronicling various phases in the cycles of women of various ages and sexual and reproductive histories.
The vagina, because it is internal, is tragically neglected by science. The penis and the vulva are familiar icons, but our culture views the vagina as dark and mysterious. This ignorance can lead to confusion and embarrassment, and every woman deserves to shine a light into that darkness. Women are encouraged to perform the exams alone, with partners, or alongside a supportive group of women in a place where they feel safe and can explore their curiosities with positivity.
Our vaginas do cool things, and each of the photos reveal our bodies without stigma; they are scientific and objective without being objectifying. Ultimately, they disclose to us that our own bodies are natural and deserving of our love and respect, regardless of differences. What do you think of the project? Let us know in the comments!
Thanks to Beautiful Cervix Project
Images via We Heart It and Some E-Cards
