Dignity restored

Women and young girls at Ncamagoro village in Kavango West could not contain their joy when they received free sanitary pads at the weekend; for some it will be the first time using this critical feminine hygiene product.The sanitary pads were donated by the Namibia Training Authority (NTA), in response to a Namibian Sun article that lifted the veil on how women and girls from poor households are left with no option but to resort to harmful practices when they menstruate, thereby putting their lives at risk. It was reported they have to resort to using mattresses, pillow stuffing, dried leaves and cotton cloths when they menstruate, because they cannot afford sanitary pads. The women also showed Namibian Sun a tube-like plant known as epepo, saying this is one of the traditional ways in which they deal with menstruation.They also demonstrated how they peel off a part of the plant, and then rub it until it is softens and feels like cotton, before using it as a sanitary pad.The women said a large epepo plant can be used for up to three months.Namibian Sun was also informed that young girls have to take epepo to school in case of emergency.Another traditional practice is using the roots on a certain plant, which is pounded until it feels like cotton.Senior assistant to NTA CEO Jerry Beukes, Carol Millward, explained that after they collected various items, including sanitary pads and other basic necessities earlier this year, they felt they should respond to the Namibian Sun article by donating some of the items.“To this end, a number of sanitary items were collected. Having then received the article of 3 June, we thought it fit to make the donation, on behalf of the NTA, to your newspaper's call. Thank you to the Namibian Sun for taking up this cause and displaying concern for the health of our young girls and women in remote corners of Namibia,” Millward said. The consignment was sent from Windhoek to Rundu, and then handed to the recipients at Ncamagoro village at the weekend.Despite the donation only benefitting a few, those who were fortunate enough to either receive a pack of sanitary pads, toothpaste or a bar of soap, expressed their utmost gratitude and wished the Good Samaritans well.“Thank you very much; we are very happy for what we received,” one of the women said, while ululating.“Some of us never used these things before today, as we were just looking forward to the traditional ways of using plant roots.”The women, who are mostly unemployed and do not benefit from social grants, said the little money they receive normally goes toward buying food.“To some of us it is a luxury to have these pads, because as a poor person you will obviously buy food when you get a bit of money, as we have traditional ways of dealing with menstruation,” one of the beneficiaries said.They also indicated they would like to receive washable sanitary pads, which lasts up to four years, as opposed to disposable ones.KENYA KAMBOWE

Dignity restored

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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Dignity restored

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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