LUANDA, Cacuaco - Parents and carers are essential partners in overcoming barriers to learning about menstrual management and hygiene.

The Ministry of Education, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), held a workshop on menstrual hygiene on 31 January as part of the Safeguarding Youth Programme (SYP), involving parents and guardians of 5th and 6th graders.

The workshop allowed school management, educators, pupils, carers, representatives of the Ministry of Education and its partners to reflect and share ideas on how menstrual hygiene and health management is more effective when families are involved.

One of the moments of the workshop was dedicated to parents and carers sharing their experiences on how they deal with their daughters' menstrual health. ‘I only spoke to my daughter about this topic when she told me that I had been asked to take part in this debate at school,’ said parent José João*. He added: ‘I always thought this was a topic for her mum to deal with.’

Eulália, 11, was one of the pupils present at the workshop. She said that she talks to her mum and aunt about menstruation, but doesn't talk to her dad about it because she's embarrassed. The student said that she had already attended lectures on menstrual health at school and demonstrated her knowledge of the subject, explaining that the first menstruation is called menarche and that it is a natural process for all girls.

During the event, the students took part in a practical session on handling menstrual hygiene kits, including menstrual panties and reusable pads, which some received at school and others only on the day of the workshop.

During the event, participants also visited an exhibition of different products and information on STI/HIV and menstrual health, where the UNFPA stand focussed its approach on reusable menstrual pads, highlighting not only their practical usefulness, but also their positive impact on the environment and the family economy.

The event was attended by His Excellency the Secretary of State for Pre-School and Primary Education, Pacheco Francisco; the Secretary of State for Family and Women's Promotion, Alcina Lopes da Cunha Kindanda; the Municipal Administrator of Cacuaco, Fernando Francisco João ; the National Director for Pre-School and Primary Education, Dr Gola António and the Programme Officer for Youth, Gender and Humanitarian Issues, Luís Samacumbi, on behalf of the Representative of UNFPA Angola, Rinko Kinoshita. Also present in the room were Municipal Education Directors, School Directors and Parents‘ and Guardians’ Associations.

Speaking on behalf of the UNFPA Representative, Luís Samacumbi congratulated the Ministry of Education on its initiative and commitment to training girls and adolescents and reiterated the organisation's willingness to continue working with the Ministry to promote the development of young people, particularly girls, thus ensuring their full participation in Angola's socio-economic development.

*Fictitious name to preserve the identity of the interviewee.

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Redacção e fotografia: Dorivaldo Caetano, Social media Associate