Promoting menstrual health and hygiene: Sahel Activistes in Senegal is relying on the DOOLEL Programme!
As part of the DOOLEL programme (Empowerment through French), a delegation from Sahel Activistes in Senegal undertook a fruitful visit to the CEM El Hadj Thierno Yoro Ndiaye in Bargny and the Collège Aminata Sow Fall in Patte D’Oie. These two schools, with a combined total of over 3,000 pupils, the majority of whom are girls, will benefit from the pilot phase of the DOOLEL programme.
DOOLEL aims to promote the health and wellbeing of schoolgirls. This initiative involves the distribution of reusable sanitary pads and the organisation of awareness-raising sessions on menstrual health in participating schools.
The fact is that in Senegal, amongst the factors contributing to school dropout, the situation of girls of menstruating age tops the list, despite the high school enrolment rate for girls (88.92 per cent in 2020). Social and medical support for girls of menstruating age is essential for several reasons. Firstly, menstruation is a natural biological process for girls and women. However, for many girls, the onset of their first period can be a source of confusion, anxiety and discomfort, especially if they do not receive sufficient information and support from those around them.
Furthermore, social and medical support for girls of menstruating age is important for promoting gender equality and the empowerment of girls and women. Ensuring that girls have adequate access to information and menstrual hygiene products, as well as menstrual health care, enables them to lead active and productive lives without being held back by their periods.
In addition to these activities, the programme also includes training sessions on issues of social and political inequality. During these two days of engagement, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the challenges associated with these inequalities and to explore ways of alleviating them.
This initiative is an example of collaboration between civil society, schools and local authorities to bring about positive and sustainable change in the lives of communities. Grassroots civic action can help to bring about a :
- High-quality education that is accessible to all,
- Health policy for all,
- Fair management and distribution of resources,
- Raising awareness and advocating for inclusive development policies with a gender dimension…
Sahel Activists of Senegal is a network of committed young people who use new media as tools for raising awareness and advocacy, to inform the general public and encourage them to help reduce inequalities in the Sahel. It is a community of values emerging from the Sahel Insight project, ledby AfricTivistes.
The first phase of the project took place from January to March 2022 in four Sahel countries, comprising an online campaign and a series of training sessions aimed at young civil society activists and change-makers from these four countries, covering topics such as:
- Leadership,
- Communication and digital advocacy,
- Risk management and gender issues…
Follow #SahelActivistesSN on their social media platforms to keep up to date with this exciting community-led campaign, which aims to promote the empowerment of young girls and help reduce inequalities in Senegal:
