Help Rohingya Refugees Become New Moms Safely

In the Rohingya refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, a remarkable initiative is transforming the lives of teeanage girls and women. Menstrual health, often overlooked in refugee and host communities, have taken center stage through a program initiated by UNFPA.

Recognizing the Urgency: Addressing Menstrual Health Challenges

In these densely populated camps, menstruation remains shrouded in taboos and misconceptions, presenting formidable obstacles to proper menstrual health management. These challenges lead to unhealthy practices, increasing the risk of infections and long-term health issues.

A gift of $150 provides supplies, medications, and equipment to a health clinic to help safely manage emergency cases, such as infection.

That's why UNFPA launched a program focusing on self-reliance skills education, with a particular emphasis on reusable sanitary pad production. The program's hands-on approach covers everything from sourcing materials to crafting pads with proper hygiene standards. It covers essential aspects such as materials, fabrics, and effective production techniques. Through this initiative, teenage girls and young women gain valuable skills that empower them to create sanitary pads that are not only cost-effective but also meet stringent hygiene standards.

“I learned how to make reusable sanitary pads, and now I can make them for my sisters”, Minara, a girl from a Rohingya camp shared with us.

In its inaugural year in 2023, the initiative touched the lives of over 4,000 individuals, including 2,050 teenage girls and 2,112 female caregivers, who actively participated in skill-building training sessions across camps and host communities. Collectively, these women and girls successfully produced 5,470 reusable pads. Of these, 2,015 pads have been distributed to beneficiaries, while the remainder have been pre-positioned for emergency preparedness efforts.

A gift of $25 can provide a woman with hygiene essentials for six months, enabling her to maintain her dignity no matter what.

Reusable pad-making is a life skill that extends beyond personal needs. By mastering this art, the women and girls involved can save money, create thoughtful gifts for special occasions, and enable younger sisters and family members to manage their periods without financial constraints.

To support this initiative, we have equipped 8 Adolescent & Youth Centers with sewing machines and skilled mentors have been enlisted to deliver self-reliance skills sessions. By recruiting and training mentors from communities, UNFPA not only addresses a practical need for menstrual health management but also empowers girls and women, fosters their economic independence, and engages with community members.

The production of sanitary pads within the Youth Centers is not just about managing a biological process; it's about empowerment, education, and community building. We are not only addressing a critical need but also sowing the seeds for a more self-reliant and empowered future for women and girls in Cox's Bazar.

Thank you for your ongoing support of this vital work. A donation of $45 provides three women and girls with dignity kits, allowing them to manage their periods as our program continues to grow. 

Links:

• Read the full story