Menstrual Hygiene Day: Empowering Girls and Women in Miselele, Tiko Sub division.
May 28th is commemorated globally as Menstrual Hygiene Day because of its unique symbolism. May, being the 5th month, signifies the average number of days a woman menstruates, and 28 days represent the average length of the menstrual cycle. This day aims to raise awareness and tackle the taboos and stigma surrounding menstruation, ensuring that women and girls can manage their periods safely, hygienically, and with dignity.
On this significant day, we reached out to 200 adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Miselele, a community in the Tiko subdivision, providing essential lessons on general hygiene, menstrual hygiene management, awareness around gender-based violence (GBV), and comprehensive sexuality education. One of the highlights of the event was the production of customized menstrual beads, a practical tool to help the girls understand their menstrual cycle better.
Event Highlights
Education and Awareness:
– General Hygiene and Menstrual Hygiene Management: We emphasized the importance of maintaining good hygiene practices, especially during menstruation, to prevent infections and ensure overall well-being.
– Gender-Based Violence Awareness: Educating the AGYW about GBV, its forms, and encouraging them to be vigilant and report any incidents to the authorities.
– Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Providing age-appropriate information to help the girls make informed decisions about their bodies and health.
Customized Menstrual Beads:
– Facilitated by Tembeng Eli-Anne: The CEO 9f HOBET, Anne, played a pivotal role in facilitating the production of menstrual beads. She, alongside the HOBET team, guided Adolescent girls and Young women in understanding their menstrual cycle and the significance of the beads’ colors.
Distribution of Menstrual Kits:
– Contents of the Kits: Each AGYW received a menstrual kit comprising sanitary pads, pants, a hand towel, and washing detergent. These kits aim to ensure that the girls have the necessary supplies to manage their periods with dignity and comfort.
Commitment to #PeriodPositive and Combating GBV
The event was a groundbreaking success, thanks to the generous contributions of HOBET, the main sponsor of the event. The AGYW in attendance made a collective commitment to be #PeriodPositive, embracing menstruation as a natural and healthy part of life. Moreover, they pledged to act as watchdogs against all forms of GBV, promising to report any incidents to the authorities.
This Menstrual Hygiene Day, we not only educated and empowered the young girls and women of MISELELE but also reinforced the importance of community support and awareness in tackling menstrual stigma and gender-based violence. Together, we can create a world where every woman and girl can manage her period with dignity and safety.
