Red Pride Project
The Red Pride project is a menstrual hygiene project. It aims at restoring the dignity of menstruating girls in Cameroon through sensitization on menstrual hygiene management. It also aims at providing sanitary pads and other menstrual kits.
Executive Background of the Red Pride Project
Adequate MHM is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and leading scholars as occurring when women and girls have: (i) awareness, information, and self-confidence regarding menstrual hygiene; (ii) access to safe, hygienic, and absorbent materials or products and supplies; (iii) access to safe and clean facilities that are equipped with water and soap to bathe oneself and clean or dispose of materials; and (iv) a supportive environment that allows women and girls to manage their periods without fear of stigma or embarrassment (WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply and Sanitation, 2015).
The Problem – Red Pride Project
Lack of awareness of menstrual hygiene results in a continuous challenge in the life of adolescent girls even in this civilized society. This is because of the deep-rooted taboo and the level of ignorance in the minds of people about menstruation. Far from being accepted as a normal perfectly healthy biological change, menstruation is often treated at par with untouchability. There are communities that force menstruating women and young girls to stay in special enclosures during the period of menstruation. During this period, even family members are not allowed to touch the girls. Due to the taboo, social misconception, lack of awareness, and lack of proper understanding of human biological development, many girls suffer physically and psychologically. Lack of menstrual health awareness also results in grave health-related issues and is also termed one of the main reasons for cervical cancer at later stages.
Justification of the Red Pride Project
USAID reports that more than half of women globally are of reproductive age, yet many lack access to menstrual hygiene products or sanitation facilities. Myths and stigmas surrounding menstruation cause some women and girls to miss school or work or go into isolation. USAID recognizes menstrual hygiene management (MHM) as a vital part of the health and dignity of women and girls and provides support to implementing partners to address needs in this area. This resource page contains MHM-related research, reports, and stories featuring the work of USAID and its partners.
You can email us at info@graciousgifters.org to get the full project proposal if you are interested to be a partner or a sponsor.
