Details

In commemoration of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Family World International (FAWOI) in partnership with CACOI, Abel, and SEED, organized an event to educate and distribute sanitary pads to women and girls in Buea.

The event focused on making menstrual hygiene normal by 2030 for the locals. This was part of a series of events spanning several weeks of women and girl empowerment and the inclusion of men in MMH.

The event began at Mile 17 Park, Buea SW Region with health talks on menstrual hygiene management and menstrual cycle, presented by staff and volunteers from FAWOI and ABEL.

These talks were interactive, with questions and answers, ensuring the participants gained a clear understanding of menstrual health and the stereotypes surrounding menstrual health.

The event recorded a huge success, with over 356 people sensitized on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in response to COVID-19 and Cholera outbreak, HIV/AIDS and abstinence.

Of this poll, 288 participants received sanitary pads. Other items distributed included aqua tabs for water treatment, face masks, preservatives, and lubricants.

The joy of the women and girls who received pads, some for the first time, was a testament to the importance of such initiatives. Some men could be seen supporting these women and asking questions about menstrual health, stereotypes and stigma associated with menstrual health which was amply clarified by the staff and volunteers to their satisfaction.

Despite the security challenges and stereotypes associated with MHM in the region, the FAWOI and partners continue to strive towards a future where menstrual hygiene is a normal part of life for all women and girls and periods are celebrated with pride by both men and women.