In the middle of Bibala Municipality, Namibe Province, lives Celma, a teenager who faced daily challenges with her menstruation. But her story of struggle now has a glimmer of hope.

Celma and other girls, women and boys from her community attended lecture sessions, within the framework of the Menstrual Health Management and Life-Saving Support Programme for Young People and Internally Displaced Persons where they learnt about topics such as Sexual and Reproductive Health, menstrual health management, sexually transmitted infections and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV),  and the girls received dignity kits.

With a radiant smile and eyes sparkling with joy, Celma says: "I now know how to prevent myself and take care of my menstrual hygiene. I learnt about the fertile period, I learnt about the dry period and the blood period." Her words are a reflection of her new understanding and confidence.

Before receiving the products and attending the talks, I didn't even know how to count my fertile period. I only counted the blood period when it appeared," reveals Celma, remembering her past.

These talks and the kits weren't just a delivery of products, they were a delivery of dignity and opportunities. "There are many girls who can't afford to buy pads, and thanks to God he sent people of good faith who gave us these kits."

This initiative is the result of a partnership between the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of Angola, and funded by the Government of Japan through its Embassy in Angola. Together they are creating a lasting impact on the lives of young people like Celma, offering not just products, but hope and empowerment for a brighter future.

About the Programme:

The Menstrual Health Management and Life-Saving Support Programme for Young People and Internally Displaced Persons (Cunene and Namibe) is a humanitarian response to girls and young women and boys aged 10 to 19 on the issues of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), menstrual health management, sexually transmitted infections, and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV). From January to December 2023, 13,500 people were reached with key messages on SRH, GBV, 4,500 dignity kits were delivered to girls, 55 trainers in menstrual health management were certified and sexual and reproductive health kits to support the work of midwives and enable clean births were distributed to 30,000 women in hospital units. Likewise, kits for treating sexually transmitted infections were delivered to 30,000 people in reference hospital units. This initiative is the result of a partnership between the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of Angola and is funded by the Government of Japan through its Embassy in Angola.

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Text and photo: Dorivaldo Caetano, Social Media Associate