Menstrutopies : quel avenir pour des menstruations sans tabous ?

Projection du documentaire “They See Red” suivie d’une discussion autour de l’équité menstruelle

Lieu: Cinéma l’Empire - rue de Carouge 72-74, 1205 Genève

Date et heure: 28 mai 2024, 18h30-20h30, ouverture des portes dès 18h15

“They see red” - A documentary about period poverty in Tanzania

I have been working with the local NGO Rural Development Organization (RDO) since 2016, which is supporting communities through various initiatives, including water supply projects, a unique Home-Based Orphans Support Program, and Vocational Training Centers that offer high-quality and practical education to the youth. While working closely with these communities, it became evident that period poverty has been a long-standing issue. Recognizing this challenge, my team and I embarked on a journey to design reusable menstrual solutions for girls, aiming to address this pressing concern. We were fully aware that the challenges extended beyond the lack of access to menstrual products. Factors such as shame and the taboo surrounding menstruation also played a significant role in hindering the progress. Therefore, we took these considerations into account when designing our sanitary kits. Our goal was to create comfortable and safe solutions that would encourage girls to use them consistently in the long term.

In 2022, Aurélie participated in a 6-months exchange program at one of the universities in Iringa, Tanzania. Upon her arrival, she was eager to make a positive impact on the communities and began asking about the challenges faced by various people. Being relatively new to the country, she was keen to learn and contribute. It was through these conversations that she became aware of the challenges surrounding menstrual hygiene, and it is how the two of us initiated the KaribuPads project, forging not only an impactful project but also an enduring and amazing friendship.

Within the framework of the KaribuPads project, one of our primary target groups consists of girls and young women living in rural areas of Tanzania. However, our objective extended beyond simply distributing reusable sanitary kits to them. Equally important to us was empowering the young women involved in producing these sanitary kits, many of whom are vocational training students & graduates. The majority of the girls and young women come from challenging backgrounds, they have grown without parents, in highly vulnerable circumstances, or have experienced physical, emotional or sexual violence. Our aim was to equip them with the skills needed for a self-sustaining future. In Tanzania, especially in rural areas, the prevailing societal norm sees the majority of women remaining at home and relying on their husbands for support. Recognizing this reality, our training efforts went beyond sewing skills. We also provided instruction in basic entrepreneurship and arranged sessions with legal professionals to educate the girls and young women about their rights.

The occurrence of menstruation should not result in any disadvantages or blame. Instead, it should be embraced and celebrated as a natural and beautiful aspect of life. It is a testament to the incredible capacity of our bodies and a good reminder of the strength and resilience that we embody. So let‘s celebrate the beauty of this natural cycle and work towards a world where menstruation is regarded with dignity, respect, and pride.

Natalie. 02.10.2023

Join Us for a Distribution and Awareness-Raising Session in Tanzania