Group sews, gives out washable sanitary pads

EVERY Thursday for the past five years, a group of dedicated women meet to sew high-quality, washable, menstrual pads.
So far, they have distributed more than 3,000 of these hygiene packs to girls in Lae, Morobe.
In preparation for Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28), girls from Christ The King Primary School will receive sets of these hand-sewn items with health talks about the female body, menstruation, pregnancy and the importance of female hygiene.
“There is a big need for sanitary pads,” Nakei Siloi, the spokesperson of the group and a volunteer with Days for Girls since 2018, said.
“Store-bought pads are expensive.
“The disposal of plastic synthetic pads is a problem for our environment.
“We do not want our daughters to miss school just because she has her sikmun (monthly period).
“We want to educate our girls about her monthly cycle.
“To emphasise to them how natural and normal having a period is.”
In many parts of Papua New Guinea, haus meri or menstrual huts provide women and girls the opportunity to support one another during their monthly periods.
“Because many of us have moved to urban locations, these opportunities for focused learning and rest are not readily available. We may not be talking openly about menstrual hygiene, so our daughters miss out,” she said.
There is a culture of shame and taboo on matters pertaining to sexuality.
Girls are teased at school if their clothes are stained.
This discourages our daughters from attending class.
“Days for Girls have programmes which educate our sons about menstruation. It is called ‘Men who Know,’ she said.
“Every man and boy is connected to a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, co-worker or classmate.
“Men and boys would be crucial partners to shatter the stigma and in the future influence decision-making.
“We are looking for men who are interested to volunteer and to join us in this endeavour.”
Days for Girls was first established in Lae, Morobe, by Wendy Christie, supported by New Zealand, and Australian Days for Girls teams and chapters (especially those in Annerley, Boonah and Redlands, Queensland) along with sponsors The Lioness Club of Lae, Express Freight Management, Chemcare, Papindo Ltd, Theodist and Brian Bell Home Centres.