Charity Archives - Colgar foundation

FIGHTING PERIOD POVERTY

colgar_team — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 19:59:51 +0000

I find that in today’s society the topic of period poverty and menstrual hygiene is often overlooked and not spoken about enough because there’s the misconstrued idea that everyone is expected to have automatic knowledge on the discourse. However, you would be surprised that in this present day and age, millions of women across the country barely have access to proper menstrual products or facilities to aid their cycle. I mean, in big 2024 that’s kind of a shocking discovery.

This discovery prompted the COLGAR team to lead an outreach on period poverty and menstrual care. On the 22nd of March 2024, we set out to government day secondary school in Ilorin, Kwara state and we were met with enthusiastic young girls eager to hear what we had to disseminate towards the cause. In as much as every young girl present learnt a variety of new things, I, in the same vein learnt a lot. It was quite startling to learn that majority of the young girls didn’t know what actions to take when they faced menstrual cramps. We educated them on what meals to abstain from and the foods to eat that could promote their overall menstrual health. They also learnt how to properly count the days in their cycle so as to enable them to prepare for their period day as most of them lacked access to a smartphone or the internet where they could reach apps like Flo that help to keep track of menstrual cycle days.

One would expect that every lady should be able to afford a pad but this isn’t the case as most of these girls come from underprivileged families. Sanitary pads and tampons are a luxury for them, rather than the necessity they truly are. About 40% of them reported that they use tissues when bleeding due to the high cost of tampons.

In a bid to alleviate this challenge faced amongst the girls at government day secondary school, COLGAR distributed sanitary towels to each girl present as well as educate them on the proper usage of pad in order to maintain a proper hygiene. The girls were really excited to receive free pads as it would ease the financial burden of how to get pads for their next cycle.

It was a really fun experience informing the girls about their body and learning on their different challenges as well as their lack of knowledge on critical things about their cycle. Sharing the pads was quite a seamless process as the girls were cooperative and receptive. As a team, the major challenge we faced was….

The highlight of the outreach for me was the inexplicable joy so evident on the faces of these young girls as they received their pads which made it a huge success in my opinion and this couldn’t have been achieved without the help of the volunteers, myself included who arrived at the venue on time and also ensured to assist with educating the young girls and sharing the sanitary towels as well as other refreshments.

At COLGAR we do not relent in our efforts to alleviate period poverty and we’re constantly making plans to ensure our next “Fight period poverty outreach” surpasses the previous one. We believe with this small acts of kindness and enlightenment we can reduce the amount of young ladies suffering from period impoverishment.

This article is also a prompt to everyone who comes across it to indulge in conversations about period poverty and also try to the best of their ability to give out free pads to those who are in dire need. You could also spread information about the cause through social media.

If you would like to be a volunteer at COLGAR or donate to support, kindly visit www.colgar.org . Together we can FIGHTthe pandemic called PERIOD POVERTY.

The post FIGHTING PERIOD POVERTY appeared first on Colgar foundation.

Menstrual Equity: Breaking the Taboo of Lack of Pads for Students in Nigeria

colgar_team — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 15:52:03 +0000

Introduction:

In a society where education is deemed a pathway to progress, the barriers that hinder young students from accessing quality education can take many forms. One such distressing barrier is the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, particularly pads, for female students. In this blog post, we shed light on the taboo surrounding menstruation and the devastating consequences of inadequate menstrual hygiene management on young girls in Nigeria. It is time to break the silence and address this critical issue, ensuring that all students have the means to pursue their education with dignity.

The Taboo of Menstruation:

In Nigeria, menstruation is often surrounded by silence and embarrassment, leaving young girls to navigate this natural process without the support and knowledge they deserve. The stigma associated with menstruation can result in shame and misinformation, perpetuating myths that further isolate young girls during their menstrual cycles. This atmosphere of secrecy fuels the lack of awareness about proper menstrual hygiene management and restricts access to essential menstrual products like pads.

The Impact on Education:

The absence of access to menstrual pads profoundly affects young girls’ education in Nigeria. When faced with inadequate menstrual hygiene management, many female students opt to miss school during their periods, leading to frequent absences and compromised educational opportunities. This interruption in their education can significantly impact academic performance, self-esteem, and overall educational outcomes.

Unaffordable Costs:

For many underprivileged students and their families, purchasing menstrual pads can be an unaffordable expense. As a result, young girls are forced to resort to using improvised, unhygienic materials during their periods, which can lead to health risks and infections. The lack of access to safe and affordable menstrual hygiene products perpetuates a cycle of inequality and hampers girls’ chances of staying in school and succeeding academically.

The Call for Menstrual Equity:

It is time to prioritize menstrual equity and advocate for comprehensive menstrual hygiene management in Nigeria’s educational institutions. Menstrual equity ensures that every student, regardless of their economic background, has access to the menstrual products they need to participate fully in their education.

Addressing the Issue:

Menstrual Education: Breaking the taboo starts with education. Comprehensive menstrual education should be integrated into school curriculums, creating an open and supportive environment where students can learn about menstruation and proper hygiene practices without shame or stigma.
Access to Menstrual Products: Schools must prioritize the provision of free or affordable menstrual pads and other hygiene products to all female students. Collaborations with NGOs and governmental agencies can help ensure a steady supply of menstrual products.
Safe and Discreet Disposal Facilities: Adequate and hygienic disposal facilities for used menstrual products should be available in school premises, ensuring students’ comfort and privacy during their periods.
Engaging Community Dialogue: Initiating community dialogues can help dispel myths and misconceptions about menstruation. Involving parents, teachers, and community leaders can foster a supportive ecosystem that addresses the needs of female students.

Conclusion:

Menstrual equity is a matter of dignity, education, and human rights. Providing access to menstrual pads for students is not just a policy change; it is a transformative step towards creating a more equitable society. By breaking the silence surrounding menstruation and advocating for menstrual equity, we can ensure that all students can pursue their education without fear or shame, empowering them to reach their full potential and contributing to a brighter future for Nigeria. It is time to stand together, dismantle the barriers, and embrace menstrual equity as an essential part of advancing education and the rights of all students.

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Unveiling the Harsh Realities of Youth Poverty in Nigeria

colgar_team — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 15:21:55 +0000

Introduction:

Nigeria, a nation known for its vibrant culture and abundant resources, is also home to a growing crisis that threatens its future – youth poverty. As we navigate through the complexities of modern society, it becomes imperative to confront the harsh realities faced by millions of young Nigerians. In this blog post, we take an unfiltered look at the root causes and the devastating impact of youth poverty on Nigeria’s future generation.

Limited Access to Quality Education:

Education, a fundamental human right, should open doors of opportunity for every young Nigerian. However, the reality is starkly different for those born into poverty-stricken communities. Dilapidated school infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and a dearth of qualified teachers perpetuate an educational divide. As a result, countless young minds are deprived of quality education, condemning them to a cycle of ignorance and limited opportunities.

Stagnant Job Market:

Dreams of a bright future fade in the face of a stagnant job market. With each graduating class, the number of unemployed and underemployed youth swells, leaving them grappling with the despair of unmet aspirations. The lack of opportunities pushes many into informal and low-paying jobs, struggling to make ends meet. The burden of unfulfilled potential weighs heavily on their shoulders, underscoring the urgent need for job creation and economic empowerment.

Gender Disparities:

Youth poverty in Nigeria is not gender-blind. Young girls and women bear the brunt of systemic gender disparities. Discrimination limits their access to education and economic opportunities, entrenching a cycle of deprivation that hampers the nation’s progress. Empowering young women and promoting gender equality are essential to breaking the chains of poverty that bind generations.

Weak Social Safety Nets:

During times of crisis, the vulnerable youth in Nigeria find themselves without adequate social safety nets. The existing social welfare programs often fall short of providing essential support to those in need. To uplift our future generation, robust social safety nets must be established to protect and uplift the most vulnerable among us.

Inadequate Skill Development:

Skills are the bridge that connects education to employability. However, many young Nigerians lack access to vocational training and skill development opportunities. Without the necessary skills demanded by the job market, they face an uphill battle to secure meaningful employment. Investing in skill development is a crucial step towards equipping our youth with the tools they need to thrive.

Conclusion:

The urgency of tackling youth poverty in Nigeria cannot be overstated. It requires collective action, bold policies, and a commitment to nurturing the potential of our young generation. By investing in quality education, creating job opportunities, promoting gender equality, strengthening social welfare programs, and providing vocational training, we can pave the way towards a brighter future for Nigeria’s youth.

Together, as a nation, let us shatter the chains of youth poverty, empowering our young minds to become the architects of a prosperous and equitable Nigeria. It is time to unite, inspire, and uplift our future generation, for they hold the key to unlocking the nation’s full potential.

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