UNFPA Angola partners discuss menstrual health and disability.

On the occasion of Menstrual Health Day, UNFPA Angola's partners - the Angolan Federation of People with Disabilities (FAPED), LARDEF, ANCAA, the National Association of Women with Disabilities and APEGADA - took part in an important online session on Menstrual Health and Disability on 27 May.

The session was a space for sharing and learning, where the voices of women with disabilities from various countries were at the centre of the discussions. Idalina Bota, from LARDEF - Liga de Apoio à Integração dos Deficientes, shared her personal experience:

"For us women with disabilities, especially for me, it was a very important meeting. Unfortunately, when I was younger, we weren't taught information. We learnt the hard way. The idea that people have is that women with disabilities don't need to know many things."

Idalina continued, expressing hope for a different future: "The result of this work could benefit future women with disabilities for a different reality and they won't have to go through what I went through: having my period and not knowing what it is. I was awake for two hours when I woke up and noticed that my underwear was stained with blood. I washed my knickers and sheets and then it would get dirty again. I thought 'am I dying?

UNFPA has collected valuable contributions from women with disabilities about their menstrual challenges, including a proposal for adapted reusable pads. The suggestion will be integrated into sewing training in 10 rooms as part of a Norwegian-funded programme that aims to promote menstrual health and dignity in five provinces of Angola.

The event, organised by the African Coalition for Menstrual Health, UNFPA's East and South Africa Regional Office, AFRIpads and Liliane Funds, brought together countries from the region for a crucial dialogue.

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Photo and text: Dorivaldo Caetano