CAGEAD trains AGYW on the production of reusable pads in Mezam and Donga Mantung Divisions

In a society where menstrual health and hygiene are often surrounded by taboos and stigma, educating teachers and peer educators on reusable sanitary pads is a crucial step towards promoting sustainable and healthy menstrual practices. Reason why CAGEAD joined forces with UN Women to drive positive change through a project focused on empowering girls’ educational attainment through proper Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) practices in schools. As part of this initiative, a transformative training session was organized to teach 10 teachers and 30 students of 10 different schools in Mezam and Donga Mantung Divisions on the production of reusable sanitary pads, inspiring a wave of sustainable menstrual health practices within the community.

The training that held at the ICONA Center and Nkambe Community hall, was facilitated by an expert in the production of reusable sanitary pads, who aimed at equiping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to make their own reusable sanitary pads and to increase access to menstrual hygiene management products. Teachers and students alike gathered with enthusiasm and dedication, recognizing the importance of promoting healthy and eco-friendly menstrual practices in their school and beyond.

  The session commenced with an informative discussion on the significance of proper Menstrual Hygiene Management, the different types of sanitary pads, advantages and disadvantages of reusable pads, and the materials used for it’s production. 

Through engaging demonstrations and hands-on activities, attendees were guided through a step-by-step process of producing reusable pads using locally available materials. The practical session not only empowered participants to create their own pads but also fostered a sense of self-reliance, enabling them to address their menstrual needs in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. One of the key highlights of the training was the emphasis on destigmatizing menstruation and promoting open conversations about periods. 

As the training concluded, each school received a starter kit containing like, a handheld sewing machine, needles, pieces of cloth, tape, pins, thread, scissors and a lot more to produce their reusable pads, empowering them to continue practicing sustainable menstrual hygiene habits in their different MHM clubs in schools and communities.

This training on the production of reusable sanitary pads for teachers and students organized by CAGEAD in partnership with UN Women is a significant milestone in the journey towards ensuring girls’ access to quality education and promoting menstrual health and hygiene as a fundamental human right. 

 

Author: Monie Emmanuella