Gender Equality Tanzania, United Republic of Project #38168

Access to Menstrual Products in East Africa

by Femme International

Project Report | Jan 4, 2024
Break the Barriers: Menstrual Health Workshop for Women in Tanzania and Kenya

By Sia Towo | Country Manager

A group photo after a workshop in Mwanza

Let us keep breaking the barriers!

The more we talk about menstruation in the news and media, the more it is normalized and the less power the stigma will hold. For women in Tanzania and Kenya, it means feeling more confident to open up and say the word 'period' in public. It will also create a world of possibility and opportunity for the young generation of women. Let's think about it this way; when women/girls can attend school without having to worry about their periods, they can take advantage of every academic opportunity to comes their way.

Let us now move to a discussion of the work conducted over the last quarter of 2023. While acknowledging the challenges and successes of the year, it is commendable that we persevered with unwavering determination ensuring continual progress. We did some activities in Tanzania and Kenya as elaborated below:

Mwanza-Tanzania

Femme conducted menstrual health awareness workshops in the Mwanza region from July to September and the Training activities have proven effective in increasing knowledge, changing behaviors, and garnering community support. However, challenges persist, and ongoing efforts are required to address them and sustain positive changes in menstrual hygiene practices. This report provides a detailed account of the various initiatives undertaken and their impact on approximately 288 beneficiaries (112M, 176F).

Training in Nyamagana Vocational Centre: As our mission states, we managed to provide menstrual health education to 17 women and young girls who are students from the Mwanza Vocational Centre in Nyamagana district. Lessons about puberty and menstruation were elaborated though the young girls were eager to learn more on how to use menstrual cups as it is a new product introduced by us. Additionally, we also emphasized more on personal hygiene and the use of healthy foods during period days as Proper nutrition plays a role in managing menstrual symptoms and promoting overall health. Lastly, we distributed 17 menstrual cups to all women who attended the training.

Training in Nyakurunduma Secondary School: In August Femme Mwanza managed to provide menstrual health education to 176 (92F, 84M) students. We managed to train all subtopics of the Twaweza workbook including Reproductive structures, puberty, personal hygiene, menstruation, positive relationships, and gender-based violence. The training went well and was so wonderful as the facilitator provided clear and effective elaborations, addressing questions from the participants and ensuring that knowledge was well imparted. The training used five days and the distribution of femme kits and workbooks on the last day was a great initiative to support ongoing learning and encourage the development of good personal hygiene habits.

Training with Chama Cha Viziwi Tanzania (CHAVITA) Mwanza: Addressing the reproductive health needs of individuals with disabilities is crucial for promoting inclusivity and ensuring that everyone has access to essential health information. In September Femme International provided menstrual health education to people with hearing impairments to impart knowledge regarding menstrual health education to both men and women. Providing such education not only empowers individuals with hearing impairments but also contributes to breaking down societal taboos and promotes a more informed and supportive community.

The topics covered in the training, such as reproductive systems, puberty, menstruation, and reproductive health hygiene, are fundamental aspects of overall well-being. The training was conducted at Mirongo Vocational Institute, which specializes in people with disabilities. About 95 (67F, 28M) were reached, and we also distributed 72 reusable pads and 23 menstrual cups to all members.

Nairobi-Kenya

Menstrual Health Workshop for Girls in Kariobangi, Nairobi: Kariobangi Social Justice, in collaboration with Femme International and Vision Changers, successfully came together to celebrate the Girl Child Day on October 11th at Kariobangi North Primary School in Kariobangi North, Nairobi.

The primary objectives of the event were as follows:

Commemorating Girl Child Day by engaging with school-going girls aged between 10 and 14 years.
Educating girls about the significance of Girl Child Day and raising awareness about their rights.
Distributing menstrual hygiene products.

The session was conducted in the school after the pupils had completed their exams for the day and were preparing to head home. The girls were divided into groups based on their classes, and members from the participating partner organizations formed teams of four to lead the sessions. Femme International conducted a session on menstruation, primarily for the class 8 girls who were preparing for their national exams. Femme distributed 50 reusable pads to those who expressed interest.

During the session, there was a request from teachers who felt left out due to the insufficient supply of pads for them. However, an opportunity was identified to include them in the program next year, as schools are closing for an extended holiday break. This initial session was relatively brief, and we couldn't reach a larger number of girls. Many girls expressed interest in AFRIpads, and we have agreed with the communication organization and the school to continue the program in 2024. This will allow us to conduct small, continuous sessions to reach every girl.

Due to budget constraints, we were unable to distribute complete Femme kits, which include workbooks, soap, soap dishes, and towels. We recommend securing additional funds to support the distribution of full kits to better meet the needs of the girls. In conclusion, this workshop on menstrual health has been a transformative experience, empowering young girls with knowledge, confidence, and a sense of community. Let’s carry forward the openness and support cultivated here, breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation. May each girl embrace her menstrual journey with resilience and pride.

Together we are laying the foundation for a healthier and more informed future. Together, we can continue to break the menstrual stigma and taboo, one conversation at a time, and in so doing we will be empowering women and girls around the world by removing one more barrier, and helping them achieve their life potential.

Ongoing session on Menstruation Health Management

Session on products in Nairobi

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Sep 5, 2023
Menstrual Health Day Workshop

By Sia Towo | Project Leader

Femme International has been graciously invited by Generation Guiders, an organization based in Githurai, Nairobi, to participate in the celebration of International Menstrual Health Day 2023. Generation Guiders is a dedicated organization that empowers adolescent girls, giving them a platform to discuss the unique challenges they encounter and how they courageously overcome these obstacles. They are strong advocates for the sexual and reproductive health rights of girls and young women in Kenya. Additionally, Generation Guiders provides essential support to adolescent girls and young women, helping them access comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services within their community.

The primary goal of this special day is to provide menstrual health education to the girls and young women within the community. Generation Guiders has actively mobilized these individuals and aims to distribute 20 menstrual products, 10 menstrual cups, and 10 washable pads as part of their efforts to support menstrual health and hygiene. Femme International is honoured to be a part of this meaningful initiative, working alongside Generation Guiders to promote menstrual health awareness and improve the well-being of these young women in Githurai, Nairobi.

Generation Guiders collaborated with various partners, including local and governmental organizations, to celebrate International Menstrual Health Day. As one of the participating partners, our key role was to provide essential menstrual health education to the attendees.

During the menstrual health management (MHM) session, which spanned two hours, participants engaged in a comprehensive learning experience. This included identifying and understanding the functions of the reproductive system, both externally and internally. Additionally, the session covered a detailed explanation of the menstruation process. Participants actively identified various menstrual products that they were familiar with and introduced them to sustainable menstrual products, specifically the menstrual cup and washable pad.

To enhance the learning experience, we facilitated a question-and-answer session in between the activities. This allowed participants to seek clarification and gather valuable information about menstrual health and hygiene. Our aim was to empower and educate these young women, enabling them to make informed choices regarding their menstrual health.

Many of the girls felt at ease asking questions during the session, likely because they had already been involved in a program that provided them with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education. This prior knowledge and exposure made them comfortable with discussing menstrual health openly. However, some girls who had not yet started menstruating were naturally curious but a bit shy when it came to asking questions aloud.

Despite any initial shyness, it was encouraging to observe that all participants displayed a keen interest in learning about and using the menstrual products introduced during the session. This interest is a positive sign of their willingness to embrace sustainable menstrual hygiene practices, which can have a significant impact on their overall well-being.

Following the conclusion of the Twaweza session, the host organization introduced additional partners who delivered motivational talks to the participants. These partners also generously distributed disposable menstrual pads donated by the government. Furthermore, individuals who expressed interest in trying out menstrual cups and washable pads registered their names and received these sustainable products.

Notably, the demand for menstrual cups and washable pads exceeded our initial supply. To address this, I arranged a meeting with one of the leaders from the Generation Guiders organization a week later. During this meeting, we procured an additional 10 menstrual products to meet the increased demand. I am currently awaiting the list of the remaining 10 beneficiaries from the Generation Guiders leader.

Additionally, other partner organizations expressed interest in exploring future collaborations. We exchanged contact information to facilitate ongoing communication and potential partnerships in the future. This collaborative effort highlights the commitment of various organizations to supporting menstrual health and hygiene initiatives in the community.

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May 3, 2023
Reflecting on the International Women's Day (IWD)

By Sia Towo | Project Leader

Menstrual health awareness session on March

March 8th is International Women’s Day; women across the world use this as an opportunity to raise awareness and rights gaps, and also organizers use the day to celebrate the progress and achievements of individual women; it gives us a moment to stop for a moment, reflect and learn something new and maybe carve a time for us to take some actions towards the lessons from the reflection.

Commemorating this day is among the essential issue in advancing gender equity, celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness about discrimination, and taking action to drive gender parity. In humanitarian crises, women frequently experience more adverse effects than men, such as gender-based violence or an impact on their sexual and reproductive health.

Through research and education, Femme International plays a key role in advancing gender equity in humanitarian settings; we are championing our research partners’ and grantees’ roles in advancing gender equity. As an organization, Femme embraces equity by working to create a sustainable future for the health and well-being of the young generation in Tanzania.

International Women’s Day is one of Femme International’s favourite days as we celebrate women in all spheres of social-cultural, economic and political development.

Femme International has worked with stakeholders to ensure all menstruators have equal access to opportunities and possibilities. Various activities were done from January to March, centred on increasing awareness about menstrual health management among community members. The location where the activities were implemented was Kilimanjaro and Mwanza regions

In commemoration of International Women's Day, Femme International in collaboration with Mwanza Regional Local government and other local NGOs conducted different activities in the Kwimba district in the Mwanza region. The organization provided menstrual health education to 6 women, 5 prison women, and 1 prison guard at Kwimba prisons. Not only that but also femme international distributed menstrual health products to guards and diapers for a one-year child whose mother is among the women in Kwimba prison.

Also, in changing girls' narratives about menstrual health management, we provided menstrual health management education to girls from Bujiku Sakila secondary school in Kwimba. They were distributed with the workbook to help them review what they learned about menstrual health management. About 43 girls were reached.

Community Outreach; Various community outreaches have been conducted in Mwanza and Kilimanjaro; our main aim was to raise awareness among other groups of women about Menstrual Sexual Reproductive Health Rights. In Mwanza, Femme trained 33 young girls aged 16-22 who are basketballers on managing their periods and different kinds of menstrual products. The girls were so excited to receive menstrual cups distributed after training. Various questions were asked, including the safe days, how to manage pain when menstruating, and if menstrual cups can remove virginity.

In Kilimanjaro, the community outreaches were done to unprivileged Maasaini community women in the the Mikocheni village in Arusha Chini ward; about 22 women were taught about menstrual health management. In this session, women need more information about menstrual health management, including education and menstrual health products. Most of these women cannot afford sanitary pads for period management.

Medicine Distribution; This quarter we managed to distribute pain relief medication to secondary students of Nkolati, Nyakabungo, Nyak, Grandma, and Mamaye. Each school received 44 boxes of paracetamol and 30 boxes of Ibrufen. Our goal is to ensure girls stay in school when they menstruate, hence decreasing their absence during menstruation; as narrated by other research, girls fail to come to school during menstruation because of pain.

Connect with us through our social media Instagram to learn further about the work we do on women's and girls' rights, menstruation and sexual reproductive health rights to build an equitable community of great and strong generations.

It's not rocket science, It's a PERIOD!

Session on the use of the menstrual cups

A photo group with some of the beneficiaries

Links:

Search us on google as Femme International

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