CHANGE MAKERS LAB MODULE 3 INITIATIVE UPDATE : MY MENSTRUATION JOURNEY.

After watching module 3 lesson 4 on storytelling with Corine and Chi Yvonne,  I was inspired to tell my story about menstruation.

Many people have often wondered why I am so much into menstrual hygiene management education.  Yes, each an every lady has an inspiration or a  story to tell behind her advocacy,  journey or activities. Growing up as a  young girl in the interior of Bui Division of the North West Region of Cameroon, I often heard people talk about menstruation but no one could openly explain it to me. I  was later enrolled in a girls secondary school and was lucky to be taught about it. Yes! They taught us what it is and how you can take care of yourself during menstruation. But were the pads available? No. When my first " mbra" as it is often called here arrived,  I knew it was menstruation.  But was embarrassed because it was in church and it stained my dress. I was the center of attraction and mockery because not everyone was educated on the assistance to offer someone in such a situation.  People pointed at me with their heads, noses and lips while others murmured about it.  I left the church when someone signalled me and went back home.  I wasn't living with my parents.  I was all alone. What was available for me to use? Nothing. No pads. I had to use my towel but since it was urgent, there was no time to wash it andno money to buy anything.  I used a dirty towel. The following day I went to school and when I returned,  I discovered rashes around my thighs and vagina. Yes! I had blisters but couldn't tell what caused it. I  managed like that for few days and it was over.  During a hygiene class, our teacher who was a male told us during his lectures that,  if you do not have pads during menstruation and have to use a towel or something else,  it shouldn't be " too fat". That when it is big like that it protrudes behind and makes you an object of laughter. Secondly, it gives you wounds around your thighs and vagina. This is when I realised where those wounds and rashes came from. He said this while constantly mentioning me. I never understood till after the class that he told me he was referring to me. He had seen me in that situation during my last menstruation. He said he saw something pushing my skirt from behind and began to wonder until he studied me for those few days and discovered I was menstruating. What a shame! I

Some girls may not hear of menstruation till after their first menses. Some will hear but will not have adequate materials nor pads to use like my case above. I decided in my journey to not only educate on taking care of oneself during menstruation but providing both reusable and disposable pads to avoid such embarrassments. I also teach adolescent girls and young women how to produce these pads.

If you care for girls who go through this, then join me in this journey to educate and provide for the adolescent girls.