Sometimes we all forget just how lucky we are and take an awful lot for granted, I know I do. We can pop down to the doctors when we’re not feeling well, our children are educated, food is easily accessible and those out of work get support from the government, what have we got to complain about? actually very little.
Recently I have been doing some research to try and find a cause/project to support for my big event next year which I have found extremely difficult as there are so many needed causes and people in the world that need our help and support but there is one problem that as a female completely shocked me and I can’t believe that in this day and age the situation hasn’t been dealt with.
In many parts of Africa (India as well) when young girls start their menstrual cycle they will miss approximately 5 days a month off school because they are unable to afford sanitary towels. They are hidden away at home where they use old rags or newspaper to stem the flow of the blood, or will drop out of school completely. As well as the lack of sanitary towels they are also faced with the lack of clean sanitation at school such as toilets and running water as well as nowhere to dispose of the items and if there are toilets they will often have no locks on giving the girls no privacy. There is also the cultural problem where it is considered taboo to talk about such things so any fears or anxieties the girls may have are unable to be addressed.
Girls will drop out of school because they feel embarrassed and are frightened of being teased, all because of the lack of education on the subject and because they have dropped out of school or are missing a huge chunk of their education they won’t be able to get a decent job and will remain in poverty – the cycle continues.
For me its not just about raising money, sending off a truck load of sanitary towels and letting them get on with it, it’s about finding a charity that can support them, provide the necessary sanitary facilities at the schools and educate not just the girls but the boys that this is a normal bodily function that happens to all females and is nothing to be ashamed about.
In many parts of Africa they are now providing eco-friendly sanitary towels that can be re-used and are made locally. This is not only good for the girls but also far better for the environment. There is a fantastic product called the menstrual cup which is easy to use, will last for up to 12 hours at a time, can be cleaned easily and at the end of the cycle sterilised by boiling in water (from a river if necessary) and will last for approximately 10 years. (Mpower Cups)
I know this isn’t a subject that people like to discuss or talk about but it does need to be tackled and sorted. I take it for granted that when I have my period I can pop down to the shops purchase the necessary stuff and all is tickedie boo, no embarrassment, worries or fear of being teased. Why should young girls/woman feel dirty, embarrassed about something that is a natural bodily function?
http://thinkafricapress.com/health/girls-education-threatened-lack-sanitary-facilities
