Vessels for Development educates girls with disability on menstrual hygiene.

According to the President of V4DEV, Ornella De Vinyle, girls with disability are among the most vulnerable and neglected groups in Cameroon. 

This, she said, calls for urgent citizen sensitisation so that the concerns and worries of girls with disability, especially those of adolescent age, are not left solely in the hands of parents of such citizens living with disability. 

It is on this basis that V4DEV was at PROMHANDICAM to introduce a new gadget that will help girls with disability to better manage their menstrual hygiene and other sexual reproductive challenges.

Introduction of vibratory menstrual bracelet

The President of V4DEV, Ornella De Vinyle, introduced a vibratory bracelet, code named MENSTRIB, to the girls at the centre and went ahead to describe how the gadget functions. 

She said MENSTRIB is a menstrual health solution that integrates hardware and Artificial Intelligence, AI-powered software to predict and discreetly notify users and their circle of care about the upcoming menstrual cycles. 

The system, she said, aims to provide menstrual cycle predictions and timely reminders, to ensure that necessary accommodations and preparations are made. 

These, she said, includes preparing financially, physically, emotionally, accessing menstrual products, and enhance the distribution of menstrual products, to improve menstrual hygiene for young women.

Ornella De Vinyle: President Vessels for Development talking to the press 

Key features

The gadget, she said, has three main features. This includes Menstrual Cycle Prediction which is a a cloud-based AI algorithm predicts menstrual cycles based on historical data, offering personalized predictions.

The second feature is Hardware Wearable Device Notification which is a wrist-worn hardware device that delivers discreet and non-intrusive vibration notifications to the user, based on their proximity to their menstrual cycle.

The third is a Circle of Care SMS Notifications which is a system that sends SMS or WhatsApp notifications to the user's designated circle of care, including guardians and teachers, to inform them about the upcoming menstrual cycle for necessary accommodations, medicines and so on.

Menstrual health & hygiene

The President of V4DEV asserted that predicting menstrual cycles helps to plan and ensure the availability of necessary menstrual hygiene products. 

In lower-middle-income countries, access to these products can be limited, and timely reminders assist in securing and managing resources.

Good menstrual hygiene among girls with disability, she said, also helps in reducing stigma and shame, she said. 

Noting that discreet notifications through wearable devices reduce stigma associated with menstruation by providing non-intrusive reminders, allowing the young women informed in-time to prevent surprises and stains on their clothes which lead to stigma and shame. 

Cross section of parents & handicapped inmates of PROMHANDICAM centre

Experience shows that girls of school going age generally, especially those that are physically challenged, often miss school due to menstruation. Timely reminders facilitate better planning, minimizing absenteeism, and allowing girls to participate fully in educational activities.

She also brought financial planning and constraints of affordability to the fore. Insisting that predictability of menstrual cycles allows for better financial planning around purchasing menstrual products, thereby reducing economic strain.

Even more, involving parents in the care of their handicapped girls provides an opportunity for them to understand and support their child's menstrual health needs. It empowers parents to have open discussions and be actively involved in ensuring their child's comfort and well-being.

Paul Bernard Noah: Director General of PROMHANDICAM talking to reporters 

Alluring that parents play a significant role in providing emotional support and guidance during this phase. Involving them in the circle of care enhances the overall support system for the young girl.

Just as teachers being part of the circle of care allows them to understand and accommodate the needs of students during their menstrual cycles. This inclusion will facilitate better attendance and performance of students in academic settings by providing resources such as pain killers among others to contribute to creating supportive and inclusive classroom environments, reducing stigma.

She concluded that normalizing discussions around menstrual health with teachers and parents can influence broader societal norms, leading to a more inclusive and informed community approach to menstrual health.