Addressing menstrual hygiene challenges: Int'l coalition in search of 43M FCFA to assist refugee women, girls with pads.

Placed under the patronage of the Minister of Women's Empowerment and the Family, Prof Marie Therese Abena Ondoua, the fundraising brought together a cross section of national and international dignitaries as well as representatives of different institutions. 

The fund fundraiser is to enable the coalition to celebrate this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day, on May 28, with refugee women and girls. This year’s edition will be under the theme: “Together for a period friendly world”. 

The funds raised is meant to assist refugee women and girls with dignity kits and other menstrual hygiene products. 

The coalition targets assisting female Cameroonian refugees living in Nigeria under dire conditions as well as refugee women and girls from Nigeria and the Central African Republic, CAR, living in Far North and East Regions of Cameroon. 

Enter coalition coordinator 

The Coordinator of the International Menstrual Hygiene Coalition, Mokwe Welisane Nkeng, said coalition this year targets not only Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria as has been the case in the past three years but also refugees from neighbouring countries living in Cameroon. 

“The International Menstrual Hygiene Coalition wants to setup three pad banks; one in Adagom I and II and Okende camps in Nigeria and another in the Minawao refugee camp in the Far North Region and another in Gado-Badzere camp in the East Region of Cameroon,” Welisane who doubles as founder of nonprofit organisation, the Welisane Foundation, explained. 

The coalition, the coordinator added, is looking forward to raise the sum of 43 million FCFA to be able set up the three pad banks. 

Welisane explained that it is in a bid not to only think of Cameroonian refugees that the coalition has decided this year to also donate to refugees from other countries residing in Cameroon who are undergoing similar challenges handling their menses.

“We realised that sometimes we only think about ourselves and we have to think about others too…that is why we are spreading our tentacles to target refugees who fled Nigeria and the Central African Republic and are based here in Cameroon,” she explained. 

Welisane used the opportunity to appeal for more support from across the board to enable the coalition achieve its set goal for 2024.  

“You can sponsor, donate, become a redvocate for this course. Please join us and let us make this a reality,” Welisane appealed.  

After the fundraising in the United States of America, USA, and later Cameroon on Sunday, Welisane with the coalition’s partners in Belgium, they are looking forward to staging the next Red Charity Fundraiser in the European nation. 

Welisane said aside donating period-friendly sanitation facilities to refugee women and girls, the coalition also intends to address the sexual reproductive health concerns of the refugees through sensitisation and awareness on challenges regarding access to menstrual products. 

Gov’t hails initiative, pledges continuous support 

Speaking earlier at the event, the Sub Director in charge of the Promotion of Female Entrepreneurship at the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Ndagha Cordelia, who represented Minister Abena Ondoua, lauded the coalition team for the good work done through the course to put smiles on the faces of vulnerable. 

Ndagha assured that the partnership between the Welisane Foundation and now the coalition is going to be long-lasting since their actions seek to reach the ministry’s target population. 

“We have always accompanied them throughout their activities and we will still continue supporting them,” she pledged on behalf of the minister.  

Ndagha said women and girls still face challenges in managing their menses with the situation worst off for refugees. 

“We want to thank the coalition and special thanks to Welisane for the efforts put to reach out to these vulnerable population of women and girls,” she said, adding that contributions made through the fundraising will go a long way to change the situation of female refugees. 

She called on all and sundry to, as a point of duty, educate those around them about the stigma and taboo that surrounds menstrual hygiene. 

On her part, Research Officer at the Prime Ministry, Gang Sarah, who represented the Prime Minister, said the Head of Government appreciates the Welisane Foundation and the coalition for joining hands with government to reach out to female refugees. 

“When we talk of refugees, some people will think of food and shelter, hardly will anybody think of this personal hygiene. So, it is a very good initiative,” Gang said.