CPL FOUNDATION – QUEENPADS MENSTRUAL HEALTH AWARENESS, KOKOPO 23rd – 25th AUGUST 2022.
Menstrual Health Hygiene is a topic that is least discussed in Papua New Guinean society. Most women and girls faced difficulties yet could not speak about it because of discrimination and stigma entice to it. Also, there are taboos and norms restricting females to openly dwell on their menstrual hygiene. However, menstruation is an important part of a females’ life cycle and will eventually lead to creating a new life therefore, females’ menstrual health does matter.
CPL Hardware Haus Staffs at Kokopo with Dange Bizaring Queenpad awareness coordinator and Regil Wanwanji CPL Foundation.
CPL Foundation in partnership with Queenpads Limited have taken the initiative to break the barriers towards menstrual health by raising awareness throughout Papua New Guinea, changing the mindset of people to openly discuss menstruation and menstrual health topics. This is the third PNG awareness carried out in Kokopo East New Britain Province for three days 23rd – 24th August 2022.
The awareness targeted women as young as primary girls to colleges and working-class including CPL staff and customers in stores. A total of seven 3 schools, 1 organization and 1 community have been covered in the campaign including the CPL City Pharmacy and Hardware Haus in Kokopo. CPL foundation will continue promoting this awareness campaign to other 2 provinces in PNG, Madang and Bougainville.
The awareness was very informative and engaging that all the participants learnt a lot of information about menstrual health, how to properly use sanitary pads both disposal and reusable pads and be able to talk openly should they encounter health problems. Mothers, young girls and even male folks have given a lot of positive comments and point of views given.
At the end of every session, reusable sanitary pads were given out to each participant with user guide and information brochures. CPL Foundation also gave out small gifts to whoever that were brave to stand up and answer questions on menstrual health.
Behind this successful menstrual health awareness were the hard-working staff of Queenpads Products limited, supported CPL Foundation and City Pharmacy Kokopo. Also, a word of gratitude towards representatives from each place visited for allowing the session to be carried out at their locations.
