27 September 2024
SOFEDEC Activities at Complexe scolaire La Puisette Ngoika Kinshasa, DR Congo
Anuarite Siirewabo, Coordinator of SOFEDEC writes:
"The problem of young people living on the streets in Kinshasa is alarming, with an estimated figure of over 60,000... These young people live in extremely precarious conditions, exposed to violence and sexual promiscuity, and face major educational challenges. This has had a major impact on school-age children up to the age of majority. Some girls become pregnant at an early age and end up on the streets due to a lack of resources and an education conducive to recovery and prevention...
The first aim of our approach is to educate girls and boys about hygienic behaviour in the school environment regarding menstrual circumstances, along with education about sexual and reproductive health..." Read the whole report.
5 - 9 September 2024
IAW International Meeting Sofia, Bulgaria: Presentation of "Water and Pads" Project
Women Networking - Seminar
Experiences Opportunities Tools
Networking in practice:
Goma Bastola RUWON, Nepal
Edah Gondwe ZAW, Zambia
Rebecca Juga BAWUFAG, Cameroon
Three IAW member organizations actively engaged with the "Water an Pads Project" were invited as speakers of this seminar in Bulgaria. Unfortunately Rebecca Juga of Cameroon could only participate virtually.
All three highly intersting presentations were very much appreciated by the audience.
Later, Heidi Bodmer was presenting the WP Project. During the following exciting discussion, Goma Bastola and Edah Gondwe reported about their everyday experiences with the successful WP
project.
View everything here:
Goma Bastola RUWON Nepal, No 1 and
2
Edah Gondwe ZAW Zambia
Rebecca Juga BAWUFAG Cameroon
22 March 2024
ZAW Event at Chibwe School at Kabwe and at Dzikomo School at Ndola, Zambia
Ms. Edah Chimya, Executive Director of ZAW writes:
"...The focus of the WP event went on beyond distributing menstrual hygiene products and booklets. It helped fostering a deeper understanding of women's
bodies and reproductive health...Girls need support for loving and appreciating themselves and their value as being a girl.
Poor girls end up quitting school for early marriages because of the need for validation and material support. Therefore the continuation of the WP project is critical for the empowerment of
girls with knowledge, skills and sanitary support....Read the whole report.
2023-2024
"3000 reusable sanitary pads for underprivileged schoolgirls" - a promising pilot project in Cameroon!
In 2023 Anne Yotchou, Coordinator of CEFAP Cameroon and involved with the WP
project, presented her plan for the production of “3000 reusable sanitary pads for underprivileged schoolgirls”. She wanted to produce it together with a few women volunteers based at
Yaoundé.
This was a great idea, but there were no finances for adequate installations and the fabric needed.
Heidi Bodmer, WP Coordinator, could finally help thanks to her private connections. She organized two well-repaired second-hand electric sewing machines and arranged a free shipping to
Cameroon.
Thanks to this support further necessary appliances, the fabric for the sanitary pads plus the snacks for the seamstresses could now be provided.
After the working-place had been installed Anne Yotchou and her team started the production in February 2024. It is a one-year pilot project.
Photo: Anne Yotchou presenting a reusable pad
The whole stock of pads will be shared with BAWUFAG and RENATA. Both IAW-organizations are also based in Cameroon.
Next year the “3’000 pads” has got to be self-supporting unless the WP project gets a remarkably higher amount of funding than now. The situation will therefore be evaluated over the course of the year.
Since a long time other WP partners have also asked for reusable sanitary pads, which they want to hand out to the schoolgirls during the WP events. That is why they are also
interested in a similar production on site,
a promising future - promotion of small businesses and thus local value creation!
See the pictures and videos taken by A. Yotchou!
8 March 2024 - International Women's Day
RUWON Event at Bal Uddhar Secondary School, Kapan, Kathmandu Nepal
Goma Bastola, president of RUWON writes:
"... During the event, the female students who have reached the age of menstruation were provided with an Eco-friendly sanitary kit and an educational booklet. The rest of the students of the
school were provided with stationery and booklets. We are very proud of the meaningful work done for girls and women.... The school family is very happy and thankful towards RUWON
Nepal and IAW for this wonderful project. According to them they want the continuation of the projects in upcoming years too..."
read whole report
5 February 2024
SOFEDEC, Activities at Uzima Bora School Goma, Region of Goma, DR Congo
Giselle RUBAMBURA BAwili, SOFEDEC/NK Coordinator writes:
"The event took place at the UZIMA BORA school in a classroom. At first the girls were separated from the boys, to make them understand that they should never be ashamed to talk about menstruation amongst themselves. After that, the boys joined in, and the atmosphere was good...The school authorities and parents asked that these activities be carried out regularly, as it saves children's lives by putting them on the right track for their future.
Some parents and teachers said that several girls had been raped on the road during their period, when they wanted to go home to hide from the stigma. Some others had been abducted and gone missing.
That's why these activities have such an important protective dimension, far beyond health and hygiene!.."
Read the whole report
We are very thankful about the pictures and the report, because this event took place in the middle of a war zone .
