Empowering The Community: CADEF’s Menstrual Hygiene Outreach for Women and Girls

On May 28, 2024, Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF), in partnership with CarePort Africa and Duntai Foundation International, organized a transformative Menstrual Hygiene Outreach in Makoko, Lagos. This impactful event targeted young girls and elderly females, aiming to educate them about menstrual hygiene and empower them with practical skills to create reusable sanitary pads.

Makoko, an underserved community in Lagos Nigeria, faces significant challenges, including poor access to clean water, inadequate waste disposal systems, and limited education infrastructure. The outreach provided an opportunity to address these pressing needs, improving menstrual health while fostering sustainable practices.

Key Activities and Outcomes

1. Education and Training: Participants learned about menstrual health, hygiene practices, and the environmental impact of disposable pads. Through hands-on sessions, they created their own reusable sanitary pads, fostering independence and sustainability.
2. Community Participation: Over 150 women and girls attended the event, with 100 receiving hygiene kits containing materials to make additional pads. The event also engaged male leaders, including the community Baale (community head), highlighting collective support for women’s health.
3. Collaborative Support: Partners contributed significantly, with CADEF funding sewing kits, CarePort Africa mobilizing medical facilitators and instructors, and Duntai International providing refreshments.

Challenges and Solutions

• Limited Clean Water Access: While this remains a challenge, participants were educated on maintaining hygiene with available resources. The Baale’s initiative to install overhead tanks highlights the need for further support, such as digging boreholes.
• Initial Hesitation from Elderly Women: Open discussions about the training benefits encouraged their participation, resulting in a broader impact.

Participant Testimonials

• Bidemi: “I never knew we could make our own pads. This training has really helped me and my friends.”
• Amidat: “This is the first time someone has taught us about menstrual hygiene. I feel more knowledgeable now.”

Looking Ahead

The outreach concluded with actionable recommendations, including follow-up sessions, additional resource support, and plans to expand the initiative to other underserved areas.

Conclusion

CADEF’s Menstrual Hygiene Outreach exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives. By equipping women and girls with knowledge and skills, we are fostering confidence and sustainability. Together with our partners, CADEF remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing pressing challenges and empowering communities like Makoko to thrive.