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"A Global Girls Self-Care Guide" booklet by Zoya Prabhakar placed on a wood surface with other copies stacked behind it.
Person holding a book titled 'A Global Girls Self-Care Guide'."

A Global Girls Self-Care Guide

The Global Girls Self-Care Guide is a comprehensive yet approachable booklet designed to help young girls navigate the changes of adolescence with confidence. Covering topics like puberty, mental well-being, and tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, this resource provides information that will help young girls take care of their health now and in the future. Whether you're a parent, educator, or young reader, this booklet is here to encourage informed, empowered choices.

To date, over 75 booklets have been distributed around the Bay Area to partner organizations. The Global Girls Self-Care Guide is now free and available online. Please feel free to download, read, and share. If you are looking for assistance with printing multiple copies for a large group, let us know through the Contact Us form. 

Book cover for 'A Global Girls Self-Care Guide' by Zoya Prabhakar, featuring a red gradient background and 'loveYOU Project' at the top.
"Table of Contents" text on a light gradient background.
Table of contents with sections on menstruation, exercise, hair, and mental health.
Pastel pink and beige gradient background
Text reading "Menstruation & Period Management" on a light gradient background.
Close-up of a wolf with pink overlay, text "We're All Werewolves."
Text explaining menstrual periods, including the hormonal causes, menstrual cycle duration, and frequency of periods."
Text discussing when periods start and if they last forever, mentioning age ranges, puberty signs, and menopause.
Calendar with marked dates on a red background
Shark swimming underwater with text 'SHARK WEEK' on pink background.
Text explaining period cramps and relief methods from loveYOU Project. Discusses causes, pain locations, and suggests heat therapy methods such as drinking hot tea, using heating pads, or hot baths.
Text about iron-rich foods and PMS symptoms. Foods listed include green vegetables, red meats, seafood, and nuts. Exercise advice for cramps is given. Mentions pain relief options and seeing a doctor. Introduces PMS definition and symptoms like food
A woman in a pink t-shirt and plaid pajama pants sits on a bed, appearing to have abdominal discomfort. Text above lists PMS symptoms, including mood swings, acne, breast tenderness, and fatigue, and discusses emotional experiences during periods.
Sanitary products including tampons, pads, and a menstrual cup on a pink background, with the text 'Find Your Diaper.'
Text discussing period products, focusing on pads. It explains the functions, types, and usage of pads for menstrual care, advising they be changed every three to four hours. Two types are mentioned: Super pads for heavy flow and Slender pads for mod
Text from a self-care guide about menstrual products, detailing different types of sanitary pads such as Overnight, Maxi, Mini, and Reusable, along with a discussion on tampons and their use for convenience and swimming.
Information on tampon applicators and period underwear. Describes plastic, extendable, and cardboard tampon applicators. Mentions the ease of use and comfort. Addresses tampon usage, string function, and changing frequency. Introduces reusable period
A page from "A Global Girls Self-Care Guide" discussing period underwear and menstrual cups. It advises on wearing period underwear, lists recommended brands like Thinx and Modibodi, and describes menstrual cups as reusable and leak-preventive. Page
Text discussing menstrual cups and period hygiene, advising regular changing of period products, using mild soap and warm water for cleansing, and maintaining hand hygiene. "Period Hygiene" is highlighted in red.
Gradient background with pink to light cream transition.
"Exercise & Nutrition & Sleep" text on a pink gradient background.
Two smiling women, one wearing a shirt with "GS," under the text "Olympic Girls."
Text explaining the importance of exercise during puberty, highlighting trial of different sports in middle school. Lists common middle/high school sports like soccer, basketball, volleyball, flag/tackle football, and lacrosse.
List of girls' sports, describing type and setting from "A Global Girls Self-Care Guide."
Text discussing discrimination in sports for girls in middle and high school. It encourages girls to participate in sports, especially those historically male-dominated, like football. It also addresses backlash against female-dominated sports such a
Text from a guide titled 'A Global Girls Self-Care Guide' discussing the benefits of bodyweight exercises like push-ups, squats, and pull-ups for young girls, and recommending home workouts, running, jogging, walking, and biking as effective fitness
Collage of female athletes in team sports: basketball huddle, soccer players enjoying victory, women taking selfies after a game.
Assorted foods including bananas, eggs, salmon, yogurt with strawberries, and various fruits and vegetables with "Filling the Plate" text overlaid.
Information on nutrition during puberty, emphasizing balanced diet with calcium, vitamin D, protein, and carbs. Advises against meal skipping, particularly breakfast, and addresses body image issues in teenage girls, stressing each body’s uniqueness
Person sleeping with text overlay "You Snooze, You Win".
Text explaining the importance of sleep during puberty. It highlights sleep phase delay, suggests 9 hours of sleep, and advises adjusting bedtimes for school schedules and managing late-night activities.
Red and pink gradient background
"Hair & Skin" text on pink gradient background.
Close-up of a person applying lotion to their leg with the text 'Rapunzel Style' overlaid, in a pink tint.
Educational text about body hair during puberty for girls, discussing natural growth and optional removal methods like shaving and waxing. Emphasizes personal choice and includes recommendations for consulting adults for guidance.
Page from "A Global Girls Self-Care Guide" discussing body hair removal creams and head hair care tips.
Person tying a ponytail, wearing a pink shirt, outside with greenery in the background.
A concerned woman examining her face in a mirror with text "UNDER YOUR SKIN" overlaid.
Text discussing acne and makeup, highlighting the causes of acne due to hormonal changes, overproduction of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. It advises consulting a doctor for skincare products, cleansing and moisturizing daily, and removing makeu
Close-up of a person washing their face with foamy cleanser, depicting skincare routine.
Makeup brushes and concealers on a wooden surface with leaves.
pink and red gradient background
Text reading 'Mental Health & Mood & Emotion' on pink background.
A person wearing glasses looks down thoughtfully, with their hand on their forehead. The image is overlaid with a pink tint and the text "INSIDE OUT" at the bottom.
Text about mood swings and mental health in adolescents, including emotional changes during puberty and factors affecting mental health like peer pressure and family life.
Text discussing risks to mental health, common emotional disorders among teens, anxiety and depression effects, body image issues, and self-care methods. Self-care includes exercise, healthy eating, sleep, relaxation, goal setting, and gratitude. Sou
Text about focusing on positivity and staying connected with support systems, accompanied by a photo of a young girl with long hair, wearing a white shirt, resting her chin on her hands and looking thoughtful. Part of the loveYOU Project.
Young girl looking down with thoughtful expression, overlay text "Mind Games."
Text about middle school friendships and bullying. Discusses challenges like cliques, exclusion, and social media influence. Encourages standing up against bullying and prioritizing safety. Advises on handling jealousy and FOMO, and reducing negative
Group of smiling young women taking a selfie outdoors, with a positive message above about finding joy and love in social life and passions.
Two photos of smiling teenagers. The top image shows a group of teenagers sitting outdoors, talking and laughing. The bottom image features a close-up of a teenage girl smiling with two friends in the background, outdoors.
"Bibliography" text on a pink gradient background
Image showing a list of health-related references, including articles on puberty, mental health, menstrual cramps, iron-rich foods, and hygiene for teens.
A list of references including articles from the Mayo Clinic, WHO, Moreland OB-GYN, NHS, and The New York Times, related to premenstrual syndrome, adolescent mental health, feminine hygiene products, periods, and period underwear. Page number 56 of '
Cover of 'A Global Girls Self-Care Guide' by Zoya Prabhakar with a gradient pink background and loveYOU project logo.