United to fight period poverty in Walvis Bay

The Walvis-based October Charity Foundation has joined forces with Dema Dimbaya, an American humanitarian and disaster relief organisation, in an effort to address period poverty in the harbour town.The two organisations donated 200 sanitary pads to schoolgirls at Kuisebmond Secondary School in Walvis Bay.October Charity Foundation founder Lydia October said period poverty describes the struggles many low-income girls and women face while trying to afford sanitary products."A number of learners are missing from school during their cycles. Many families cannot afford menstrual products, and this results in the use of unsafe materials among menstruating girls. I believe that it&#039;s important for us to normalise talking about menstruation and removing the taboos around the natural process that women experience at that time of the month".500 millionThe founder of Dema Dimbaya, Gene Bazemore, pointed out that period poverty occurs when girls and women do not have access to sanitary products to manage their cycles and are forced to withdraw from their normal activities, including school or work. "On World Menstrual Health Day, we highlight the issues girls and women have related to stigmas associated with menstruation, sanitation methods, menstruation products.”Bazemore said that according to the World Bank, more than 500 million girls and women globally lack proper menstruation supplies.In an effort to address period poverty in Namibia, Dema Dimbaya conducted a campaign to donate sanitary pads to schools, group homes, and "shelters in various countries."Continued work to break taboosOctober added that the foundation is looking to officially launch &#039;The Lit Lounge with Lydia October&#039; podcast."The podcast will serve as a great addition to the vision of the October Charity Foundation. It will provide a safe space for further engaging with our target audience and promoting mental health awareness. The podcast will serve as a platform to discuss various mental health issues, provide education and resources to listeners, and feature guest speakers who can share their stories and personal experiences", she explained.The foundation will also carry out various charity drives around the region for research and data collection purposes to further analyse how homeless people, especially those living with mental disabilities, can be assisted.nikanor@erongo.com.na

United to fight period poverty in Walvis Bay

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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United to fight period poverty in Walvis Bay

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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