HAPPY PERIODS PROJECT “Every girl has the right to be happy and live a Healthy life in a sustainable way”
Summary
RHFC wishes to support 600 adolescent girls in overcoming all the barriers associated with menstruation. This project will provide education, reusable sanitary pads and build or renovate toilet facilities in Schools and communities in Cameroon. RHFC will ensure equal opportunity for girls/women across the country. This project will address 4 key Sustainable Development Goals.
Challenge
Adolescent girls and women in Cameroon face the problem of fear and shame during menstruation caused by lack of education, cultural myths/taboos and lack of funds to source proper sanitary products thus leading to unhygienic practices. They have no privacy and are forced to share toilets with boys.
When menstruation comes, it is considered that the girl is ready to get married, have children and start a family based on culture and tradition. With all these setbacks, they cannot go to school or stay in school.
Solution
Our methodology will be Education – through the teaching of menstrual Hygiene as a subject in secondary and high schools in Cameroon for both boys and girls (from 11 to 20) on various topics:
- What do they know about the Period?
- Puberty
- What is Menstruation?
- The Science of Menstruation
- Menstrual Hygiene
- Menstrual Disorders, and
- what to expect when you get your period.?
We will distribute reusable sanitary products and build or renovate toilet facilities for girls. Lastly, we will engage all the stakeholders of this project to increase outreach.
Long-Term Impact
This project has many benefits which includes greater knowledge and awareness leading to
better health and hygiene for menstruating women and girls, lowering their risk of disease and illness.
Additionally, it allows students to learn about topics they are not comfortable with within a safe, peer-led environment. This liberates parents/guardians from the responsibility of being the sole source of information regarding menstruation.
Lastly, greater awareness of these topics leads to empowered women and reduces the stigma surrounding menstruation, allowing women to be more comfortable in their bodies and dispelling harmful myths and misinformation.
