Centre for Health Ethics Law and Development (CHELD) partnered with Mo Reusable Pads Initiative to organise a transformative training workshop at the Karamijiji Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Abuja. The workshop was done under the CHELD Menstrual Hygiene Project, an initiative that focuses on providing hygienic menstrual products to improve the well-being and dignity of women and girls through the distribution of sanitary items and comprehensive training sessions, the project empowers these women and girls through imparting knowledge on menstrual hygiene practices and teaching them to produce reusable sanitary pads.
Over 40 women and girls at the Karamijiji Camp participated in the menstrual hygiene training workshop. The participants received practical tutorials and were given pad-making materials after which several of the women successfully sewed some reusable pads, demonstrating their dedication and commitment to enhancing their reproductive health and overall well-being. The remaining participants departed with the necessary materials to continue their journey of self-production, a seed of hope was planted. The materials symbolise both the tangible resources required for pad production and the intangible promise of a brighter future. Armed with this knowledge, the participants embarked on a path of self-reliance and resilience, confident in their ability to address their menstrual needs despite the challenges of displacement.
The completion of the training workshop brought a sense of empowerment and satisfaction, signalling their newfound ability to take charge of their menstrual hygiene in a sustainable and dignified manner.
The IDP Menstrual Project is a crucial component of CHELD Project REACH IDP, which seeks to implement a range of interventions including research, practical interventions, and advocacy, aimed at addressing the needs of internally displaced persons in areas such as healthcare, education, shelter, food, water, sanitation, protection, and advocacy.
By freely distributing essential menstrual products, the project ensures that financial constraints do not hinder these women’s access to hygienic supplies. This approach dismantles barriers and gives these women and girls dignity and wholesomeness. The comprehensive training sessions organised by CHELD catalyse self-empowerment and resilience. These sessions equip IDP women and girls with the skills necessary to produce reusable sanitary pads, made from high-quality cotton fabrics. These pads offer a health-conscious and sustainable alternative to disposable options, freeing them from the limitations of single-use products. The reusable pads, known for their exceptional absorbency, fortitude, and breathability, provide a long-lasting solution that can be easily cleaned, renewed under sunlight, and reused in subsequent menstrual cycles.