Menstruation is the process in which the uterus sheds blood and tissue through the vagina. This is a natural and healthy process for girls and women of reproductive age starts 9-12 years old. The menstrual cycle is roughly 28 days long, but it can be shorter or longer. It typically lasts 2 to 5 days, but this varies by individual.
In every community it has its local name in Tanzania is called ‘HEDHI’ Western communities, this is often called “the period.”
Menstrual taboos and myth have existed, and still exist, in many or most cultures, for examples Some communities believe women and girls can spread misfortune or impurity during menstruation. As a result, face restrictions on their day-to-day behavior, including prohibitions on attending religious ceremonies, visiting religious spaces, handling food, or sleeping in the home.
Despite growing recognition of the issue of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in schools and beyond, we have documented the challenges girls experience in managing their menstruation, without adequate information, with inappropriate and unhygienic menstrual hygiene products, and in an atmosphere of silence taboo and humiliation. This is further exacerbated by poor or absent facilities in schools and workplaces that fail to provide adequate means for managing menstruation hygienically, and in privacy.
Right Sight believe that Menstrual Hygiene Management plays a fundamental role in girls’ educational performance, and in enabling women and girls to reach their full potential. That is why we have developed an integrated rights-based approach at scale to improve safe MHM.
The issue we are addressing
In Tanzania most girls in rural primary schools who have reached puberty do not use appropriate sanitary wear during their monthly menstrual. They use local pads, i.e., rags, raw cotton, and maize cobs. The use of inappropriate materials to manage menstrual flow or/and opt to stay at home and not attend school during the 3-4 days of their menstruation. If they attend school without proper sanitary wear, many girls soil their uniforms and may suffer psychologically due to shame and embarrassment. Also, poor Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) can contribute to poor performance and completion rates among girl pupils and exposes them to health risks.
Most of our community menstruation indicates readiness for marriage and sex, a girl’s first period is believed to be a sign that she is ready for marriage, sexual activity, and childbirth. This leaves girls vulnerable to a host of abuses, including child marriage, sexual violence or coercion, and early pregnancy. And even older teens may not be mature enough to make informed choices about marriage, sexual activities or motherhood.
There’s a notion menstruation limits women’s abilities, is also commonly believed to limit women’s physical or mental abilities. Women may face degrading comments about menstruation affecting their physical or emotional states. They may be excluded from certain roles or positions of leadership.
Society feeling shame be discussed publicly about menstruation which can lead to ignorance and neglect, including at the policy level. This leaves women and girls vulnerable and experience discrimination. It also affects women and girls with heightened vulnerabilities (disabilities). They can face stigma when seeking sanitation facilities, menstruation supplies and health care. Also affect how women and girls can manage their health and hygiene.
It is important to note that not all aspects of these traditions are negative. In some places, limitations on women’s and girls’ activities give them an opportunity to return home relax as other face intense stomach cramp. Also, it affects how women and girls dispose of menstrual products which result to taking care of their environment. In some places, women burn menstrual pads, buried and have been told improper disposal of these products can cause a girl to menstruate continuously for life, believed to cause infertility. Some communities believe attracting evil spirits.
Beneficiaries
The direct beneficiaries of this project are 6000 girl from 9-14 years schools in Dar es salaam City, Ubungo District . The focus will be Primary school in 4 ward at Ubungo District which are Kimara, Ubungo, Msigani and Sangara ward. Each ward has 5 primary school.
Goals
To consolidate funds in aid of giving out necessary facilities and educating girl children on Safe menstruation.
By teaching a girl about menstruation before she has her first period, explain why she should not be scared and ensure she can keep coming to class and engaged in day-to-day activities. It’s also a great time to combat social taboos and false information about menstruation that can hurt a girl’s well-being.
Anticipated results
- More children have learned about health and safe menstruation.
- Children learn how to combat social taboos and false information about menstruation that can hurt their well-being.
- More number of children learned how to proper use the sanitation facilities during menstruation.
- Girls are empowered to speak freely and know how to face stigma when seeking sanitation facilities, menstruation supplies and health care.
Conclusion
Right Sight is on a mission to remind the community, periods are not just the women’s domain. Together we can change the society taboo and empower girls, that experience