What about the Rhythm Method, I hear you ask? Well, do you know what you call a woman who uses the Rhythm Method? Mum. I’m in Brazil. I know. It’s a long way to go for a wax. In fact I’m in the equivalent of an unwaxed pudenda – the north east of the country, Maranhao, on the edge of the rainforest, home to the country’s poorest people. I’m not actually here for a Brazilian (this is the only context in which you’ll ever hear me say this, but Bring Back Bush!) but to see what Plan is doing to improve the lives of young women in this impoverished place. I wanted to tell the story of one girl. But all the girls I met – Maria, Jeanine, Rosana, Lorena, Amanda, Marina, Cintia, Melissa, Nataly, Teresa, Ana and Johanna – had the same sad tale. It’s a story of child prostitution, teenage pregnancy, HIV, no contraception, illegal back-street abortion, sex tourism, single mothers, macho men, irresponsible, absentee fathers and domestic violence. * Teresa is typical. She is fifteen and already has two baby girls.
