Empowering Women in Jakiri Municipality: A Milestone in Menstrual Health Education

The Saika Elisabeth Foundation (SELF), with support from the Canadian Funds for Local Initiatives, has made significant progress in its project aimed at restoring the dignity and well-being of girls and women in the Jakiri municipality. This initiative seeks to empower women through the production of reusable sanitary pads and the promotion of menstrual hygiene education, ensuring long-lasting benefits for the community.

The project, launched earlier in August 2024, focuses on training 10 girls and women from eight different villages in the Jakiri municipality. These participants will learn essential sewing skills to produce reusable sanitary pads and receive vital education on menstrual hygiene management.

Our Key Achievements So Far:

• Personnel Recruitment and Training: The project has successfully recruited five key personnel and several volunteers. These individuals were oriented on the project's objectives and goals, setting the stage for smooth implementation. Additionally, 10 participants were carefully selected based on established criteria, ensuring a diverse and representative group.

• Official Launch and Community Engagement: An official launch event brought together local leaders, health workers, and community stakeholders, sparking significant interest in the project. Promotional materials, including T-shirts, flyers, and posters, were distributed across the community to raise awareness. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram were also utilized to further enhance visibility.

• Initial Training Sessions: The first training session, held on August 14th, introduced participants to basic sewing techniques and the selection of suitable fabrics for reusable sanitary pads. Participants also began learning about menstrual hygiene management, which remains a core aspect of the project.

Challenges and Mitigation Strategies:

• Cultural Taboos: Menstruation remains a sensitive topic in many communities. To address this, community leaders were engaged to advocate for the project, fostering an open dialogue and breaking down these taboos.

• Insecurity in the Region: The ongoing conflict in the area posed a challenge, but the recruitment of local personnel familiar with the region ensured that the project could continue safely.

• Trainee Schedules: Conflicting personal obligations initially threatened attendance. However, participants were encouraged to collaborate in developing a flexible training schedule, ensuring maximum participation.

Our next Steps:

Over the next 15 days, additional training sessions will focus on advanced sewing techniques and practical workshops. Community engagement will continue through informal awareness sessions, and feedback from participants will be gathered to enhance the training program.