Project for Sustainable Menstruation Launched in Buea

Ndimuh B. Shancho

A project geared towards engaging young girls and women in the use of environmentally friendly pads and to take responsibility for their menstrual waste has been launched in Buea, South West Region of Cameroon. The project was launched by a Cameroonian non-profit organization, Ecological Balance, Monday February 24, 2020, at the Apostolic Church Bomaka.

Speaking to some 30 women and 12 young girls of menstruation age within the Buea Municipality, who turned out for the event, the Executive Director of Ecological Balance, Limbi Blessing Tata, said the sustainable menstruation project was necessary to protect the environment, salvage young girls and women from spending much money on menstrual pads, and to demystify the shame around menstruation and revalue it because life depends on it.

“Many families in the North West and South West regions have lost their sources of livelihood because of the current socio- political situation in Anglophone Cameroon, and cannot even afford good meals talk less of money for pads. Also, many towns in Cameroon already have issues managing solid waste, most especially menstrual waste because of the cultural stereotype associated with it.  This, couple with the fact that disposable pads  take up to 800 years to decay in a landfill, makes it an environmental nuisance,” Ms Limbi explained.

The Ecological Balance boss implored young girls and women of menstruation age to switch to environmentally friendly pads (cloth pads), which are “much more cheaper, especially in the long run.  We hope to have women who generate zero menstrual waste, in the near future”.

The event, which culminated in the distribution of cloth pads to all 42 participants, was very enriching. “The program was very educative! I learned some hygienic methods, which I will be observing during menstruation. I also learnt how to lessen menstruation cramps,” Puma Eunice, one of the participants said

Another participant, Name Ivine, was particularly happy that the lesson was delivered in pidgin English. “The program was well organized with lessons in a simple language understood by everyone. I have understood a lot regarding menstruation hygiene, menstrual cycle and handling menstrual cramps, which I cannot say here,” she stated.

Regarding the sustainability of the project, the Executive Director of Ecological Balance disclosed that her organization will be liaising with schools, churches and other institutions to distribute cloth pads and  organize more talks with young girls, who have just started menstruating about menstrual health and hygiene. Meanwhile, two Cameroonian tailors have been trained on cloth pads production, with more to be trained in due course.