Female students given hygiene kits to keep them in school

DAYS for Girls (DFG) International had its first ever school distribution of 230 hygienic kits to female students attending Bowali Primary School in Lae last week.
International ambassador for DFG Wendy Christie said school girls in Papua New Guinea were unable to attend classes for a week per month if they did not have access to feminine hygiene products.
“Through the distribution of DFG kits, we are ensuring girls continue their education despite having their ‘sik mun’ or period,” she said.
“The programme is part of a global initiative to ensure all females have ready access to feminine hygiene by 2022.
“DFG is dedicated to create a freer, dignified and educated world through providing lasting access to feminine hygiene solutions and health education,” Christie said.
“That has reached over 800,000 women and girls.”
The sanitary kit contains a drawstring bag that includes two shields, eight liners, two plastic zipper bags, one facecloth, small soap and two panties.
“The kit is washable and can last for three years.
“We will focus on Lae schools,” Christie said.
“After completing them, we can consider other expansions.”
Since the inception of Meri’s Malo (women’s pad) programme, 1200 kits were distributed via Ywam medical ships, Buimo prison, women at Safe House and a village in Goroka. “The organisation is recently recognised internationally,” Christie said.
“At the moment our prime focus is to continue creating kits for school girls so their education is not affected by their ‘sik mun’.”
It all began in New Zealand when Christie was introduced to DFG International before moving to Papua New Guinea when husband Kevin Christie, now chief executive of Mapai Transport Ltd, was offered a contract. On arriving, Christie started in Buimo prison, teaching female inmates how to sew. The inmates produced affordable hygiene kits for women.
This resulted in a two-year journey to create the basis to support school girls with affordable sanitary kits.