The third edition of the Red Charity Fundraiser took place on May 12, 2024, at the Hilton Hotel, under the distinguished patronage of the Minister for the Promotion of Women and the Family. Sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Cameroon), this initiative was a key event of the Welisane Foundation in the lead-up to World Menstrual Hygiene Day. Its primary mission was to provide dignity kits to vulnerable young girls and women in Cameroon and Nigeria, reinforcing the message that menstrual health is a fundamental right, not a privilege.
Menstrual health goes beyond personal hygiene; it is intrinsically linked to human dignity, gender equality, and social justice. When access to menstrual care is limited, barriers arise in education, employment, and overall well-being. Beyond the physical challenges, societal stigma and exclusion further entrench gender disparities, leaving millions of women and girls vulnerable to discrimination and hardship. The inability to afford sanitary products, coupled with inadequate sanitation facilities and a lack of reliable information, exacerbates these struggles, making menstrual health a pressing public health issue.
A holistic approach is essential in addressing this crisis. Providing access to safe and affordable menstrual products, ensuring private and hygienic spaces for period management, and fostering education and awareness are fundamental steps toward menstrual equity. Countries that have adopted comprehensive strategies—integrating education, infrastructure, product accessibility, and stigma reduction—have witnessed significant improvements in menstrual health outcomes.
This year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day carries a powerful theme: « Together for a #PeriodFriendly World. » It highlights the importance of collective action in creating an inclusive society where menstruation is neither a source of shame nor a barrier to opportunity. The International Menstrual Coalition, a leading force in this movement, continues to fight period poverty by advocating for policy changes, distributing sanitary products, and promoting menstrual health education. With a multisectoral approach, the coalition aims to empower marginalized communities and ensure that no girl or woman is left behind.
Menstrual health is increasingly recognized as a crucial component of sexual and reproductive health, closely linked to water, sanitation, and humanitarian aid efforts. Despite lingering taboos, initiatives like the Red Charity Fundraiser serve as catalysts for change, illuminating the path toward a future where menstrual equity is not an exception but the norm. A society that upholds menstrual dignity paves the way for empowerment, opportunity, and true gender equality.