IDS-Intercommunity Development Social Organisation has develop a Humanitarian Innovation called Reusable Sanitary Pads (RSP) aimed at supporting women/girls in emergency to manage their menses in privacy, safety, with respect and dignity. Unlike disposable sanitary pads, IDS reusable sanitary pads (RSP) are made from ECO friendly cloths, free of chemical, cost effective and as such healthier than the conventional disposable pads. This however contributes positively to climate as the product is biodegradable. The reusable sanitary pad is unique and innovative, in that it is made from locally available new or second hand clothing materials, which are readily available in the local market. The reusable sanitary pad promote girls child education, improve health status of women and allowing them to improve their family livelihood. Reusable sanitary pads are one of the most sustainable ways of effective menstrual hygiene management especially in Humanitarian emergency.
IDS-Intercommunity Development Social Organisation on the 7th of June 2019, organized Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Awareness and Reusable Sanitary Pads (RSP) distribution at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp Biu, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. The targeted population was adolescent girls and women. 54 women/girls were reached through the sensitization exercise and RSP distribution. The exercise was facilitated by Twar Mary – IDS Protection Manager and other staff including Haj. Fati Mohammed and assisted by Romeon Okwo, Paul Cletus and Emmanuel Isa. Participants were given an overview of the IDS Menstrual Hygiene Management Intervention targeting vulnerable Internally displaced person (IDPs), Returnees and Host community women and girls especially those attending temporary learning centers (TLC) established by IDS with support from Street Child UK and UNICEF Nigeria Country Office and IDS/Too Young to Wed (TYTW) USA Project beneficiaries . The reusable sanitary pads (RSP) is an IDS-Intercommunity Development Social Organisation Humanitarian Innovation aimed at address women/girls in humanitarian emergency Menstrual Hygiene Challenges; Unlike disposable pads, reusable sanitary pads are made from ECO friendly cloths, free of chemical, cost effective and as such healthier than the conventional disposable pads. This however contributes positively to climate as the product is biodegradable. The reusable sanitary pad is unique and innovative, in that it is made from locally available new or second hand clothing materials, which are readily available in the local market. The reusable sanitary pad promote girls child education, improve health status of women and allowing them to improve their family livelihood. Reusable sanitary pads are one of the most sustainable ways of effective menstrual hygiene management especially in Humanitarian emergency. .
At the MHM Awareness and RSP distribution Exercise, IDS Staff started by defining menstruation as the monthly flow of blood from the uterus through the small opening of the cervix which comes out through the vagina. Menstruation is natural and it occurs in the female reproductive system that makes pregnancy possible therefore its nothing anyone; girls or women should be ashamed of. The menstrual cycle helps the body to prepare for pregnancy every month.
On the average the first period begins between the ages of 12-15years. In rare cases, periods may start as early as at the age of 10. The menstrual cycle starts from puberty and stops at menopause which is usually around 45-55 years depending on each individual. The typical length of time between the first day of one period and the first day of the next is 21 – 45 days in young women and 21 – 35 days in adults with an average of 28 days. Bleeding usually last around 3 – 7 days of each period.
Up to 70% or more of women report having some symptoms during the one to two weeks prior to menstruation which includes; Pimples, tender breast or painful nipple, bloating, feeling tired, irritability, mood changes, abdominal pain (could be natural or as result of an infection), waist pain and other premenstrual syndrome. These symptoms are very likely to interfere with normal life and therefore there is need for menstruation to be properly managed.
• Participants were also educated on how to calculate their menstrual cycle as 98% of the girls and women didn’t know how to calculate it.
The concept of menstrual hygiene management was also introduced and defined as adolescent women and girls using a clean menstrual management material to absorb or collect blood which could be changed in privacy as often as necessary for the duration of the menstruation period, using soap and water for washing the body as required and having access to facilities to dispose or manage the used material.
Participants were asked to share what materials they used to manage their periods and the following were mentioned;
• Tissue paper
• Cotton wool
• Old clothing
• Old rags
Participants were then introduced to the concept of the reusable sanitary pad (RSP) which is a menstrual management product made from natural fibers hence making it soft, comfortable, free of irritation which was very healthy, easy to use and maintain, cost effective and would last for at least two years, compared to the materials used by them which were not healthy for them.
• Demonstrations were also made on how to use the reusable sanitary pad.
Participants were advised to soak the pad in hot water, use soap to wash and sundry.
• The reusable pad was distributed to 50 women and girls participants
In conclusion, participants were encouraged to talk about menstruation as it was a natural occurrence in every healthy girl or woman and was nothing to be ashamed about. They were also encouraged to sensitize other girls and women about the importance of menstrual hygiene management.
Two participants Kellu Ibrahim and Atta Abdula said they had learnt a lot and after the demonstration, they realized that menstruation was nothing to hide and promised sensitize others about menstrual hygiene management. They added that the concept of the reusable sanitary pad was a good idea and were ready to welcome it in their communities.
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