Story: My Years in Russia: A True Story of Sofonie Dala
On this International Day for People of African Descent, we honor the remarkable achievements and relentless dedication of individuals who have tirelessly fought for justice, equality, and recognition. Among these inspiring figures stands Sofonie Dala, a young African leader whose journey embodies the resilience and courage of people of African descent.
From a young age, Sofonie has been deeply committed to promoting human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development. Her path has not been easy. Growing up in Angola, Sofonie faced the harsh realities of systemic racism, social exclusion, and the lingering impacts of colonialism. Yet, she refused to be defined by these challenges. Instead, she transformed her experiences into a powerful force for change.
Sofonie's journey took her to Russia, where she encountered profound racial discrimination and witnessed the exploitation of African students. Despite these obstacles, she persevered, using her voice to raise awareness about the injustices faced by people of African descent. Her advocacy extended to South Africa, where she confronted xenophobia and the struggles of African migrants, and back to Angola, where she championed the rights of vulnerable communities, including indigenous women and migrants from Congo.
Through her unwavering dedication, Sofonie has become a beacon of hope for many. Her innovative initiatives, such as empowering women through education and addressing climate change, have had a profound impact on her community and beyond. She is not just a leader but a symbol of what can be achieved when one dares to dream and fights for a better world.
As we reflect on the contributions of people of African descent today, let us draw inspiration from Sofonie Dala’s story. Her life reminds us that true change is possible when we stand united against racism and discrimination. Together, we can build a world where equality, opportunity, and justice are not just aspirations but realities for all.
Sofonie Dala’s past and present endeavors showcase her exceptional ability to lead and execute programs that promote human rights. Her work continues to shine a light on the path toward a more just and inclusive future for people of African descent globally.
Breaking Barriers: The First African Woman to Host Russia's Navruz Party
In 2012, I became the first black woman and the first African to host the "Navruz Party," a Central Asian celebration held in the republics within Russia. By doing so, I paved the way for many other Africans, who were subsequently invited to present at similar events.
During our time in Russia, we made significant strides in showcasing our culture. We celebrated African festivals and the independence days of our home countries, singing, dancing, and sharing the rich traditions of Africa with others.
My Years in Russia: A True Story of Sofonie Dala
Hello everyone! I'm Sofonie Dala, and today I want to share a personal reflection on the International Day for People of African Descent, observed every August 31st. This day, established by the United Nations, honors the rich heritage and significant contributions of people of African descent.
As members of a unified human family, we must confront and eliminate the outdated stereotypes and prejudices rooted in unfounded ideas of racial superiority. These biases continue to inflict pain on millions of people of African descent globally.
Now, let me share my own story about living in Russia and what it meant to be black in a country where I often felt isolated.
I moved to Russia in 2005 at the age of 13 to pursue my studies. The initial experience was overwhelming. I noticed people staring at me constantly—women, in particular, seemed fixated on me. I couldn't understand why everyone was so intensely focused on me. I wondered, "Why are they looking at me like that?"
Some greeted me as if I were a celebrity, while others seemed fearful and apprehensive. Over time, I realized that my skin color was the reason for their attention. I was the only black person in the city where I initially lived, which made the experience particularly challenging.
Yes, there was a significant amount of racism. Racism is pervasive everywhere, not just in Russia but also in Africa, where nationalism can sometimes manifest in similar ways.
Despite the racism and prejudice I faced—where even simple outings required careful consideration—I persevered. I did not allow these challenges to deter me. I achieved my educational goals and earned a master's degree, proving that resilience can triumph over adversity.
Sofonie Dala Interviewed by Russian Press on Africa Day, 2013
Today is May 25th, African Liberation Day, an incredibly important day for us, and we have come together to celebrate it. This celebration isn't just happening here in Russia; it's happening all across Africa as well.
I’m wearing my African costume, which I brought from Angola, my homeland. This traditional attire represents our national pride and culture. Today, all the African students in this city are dressed in their national costumes, showcasing our rich heritage here in Europe. We want everyone to see how deeply we cherish our culture and how proud we are to be African.
Back home in Africa, we celebrate as families, gathering together to decorate the streets and spend time outdoors. We share meals, adorn everything beautifully with African beads and ornaments, and even paint our faces for carnivals. We also observe African rituals, taking time to rest on these special days because they hold great significance for us.
It was on a day like today, August 31, in 1920, that the first declaration of the rights of people of African descent was adopted in New York. Commemorating this historic event, in 2020 the General Assembly, under the initiative of Costa Rica, declared this as the International Day for People of African Descent. International day celebrations invite governments, civil society, the public and private sectors, schools and universities, and citizens of the world to reflect on values that unite humanity and to take concrete actions to advance them.
International days reflect the values that society shares. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. Any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust, and dangerous and must be rejected, together with theories that attempt to determine the existence of separate human races.
World Water Week theme, "Bridging Borders:Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future"
Opening Remarks:
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this special occasion as we celebrate the 4th anniversary of our startup, Talentos Multiplus! Over the years, we have embarked on a journey filled with creativity, innovation, and impactful campaigns that have touched lives and inspired change. Today, as promised, we continue to feature our past successes, reminding ourselves of the strides we've made together.
In honor of World Water Week 2024, we are excited to present another remarkable campaign: "Free-Plastic Ocean and Sustainable Fishing." This campaign is more than just an environmental effort; it is a call to action for all of us to protect our oceans, reduce plastic waste, and promote sustainable fishing practices.
This year's World Water Week theme, "Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future," highlights the importance of water cooperation for peace and security. It reminds us that water connects communities and nations, and through collaboration, we can build a future that is both peaceful and sustainable.
As we celebrate this milestone for Talentos Multiplus, let us also celebrate our shared responsibility to protect our planet's most precious resource—water. Together, we can create a world where our oceans are free of plastic, our fisheries are sustainable, and peace flows through every community.
Thank you for being part of this journey, and let's continue to make waves for a better future!
Harmony for the Earth: Music Against Climate Change
Welcome everyone to our creative and fantastic channel!
Ending Remarks:
Ladies and gentlemen, as we bring this incredible journey to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the importance of art and music in defending our environment. Music has the unique power to transcend barriers, touch hearts, and inspire action. Through the rhythms and melodies of our sustainable and innovative project, we’ve shown that ordinary citizens—young people, talented children, and even housewives—can come together to make an extraordinary impact.
Our fight against climate change through music doesn't end here. This campaign might be concluding, but the movement continues. The songs we've sung, the stories we've told, and the awareness we've raised will resonate far beyond this grand finale.
To everyone who believed in us and supported this cause, thank you. Let’s continue to use our voices and talents to protect our planet. The journey doesn’t stop here; it’s just the beginning.
See you soon!
Good evening everyone from Angola. My name is Sofonie Dala, I am the founder of this project,
Welcome everyone to the grand finale of our innovative show of sustainable music that inspires people to fight against climate change.
Guess who will be today's artist?
It is me!
I will be the artist of today's show, I will sing a top song.
The end of the campaign is not the end of the movement, thanks to all of you who believes and supports our work, we hope to see you soon!
Here’s a glimpse of what singing sustainable in order to fight climate change looks like for people in Angola.
SHOW 1 - Joining the fight against climate change through music!
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. But Since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
Climate change is the biggest health threat facing humanity, threatening the progress in development, global health and poverty reduction made over the past 50 years.
Today we have joyful people and children who sing promoting sustainable actions in the agriculture and food sector, oceans, social life and Child Protection!
Climate change threatens the future stability of the planet. Our artists are using their talents to sound the alarm.
Today we have a sybercafe manager, he sings in his church choir. Today he accepted the invitation to sing encouraging people to take care of the environment.
This show outlines the likely consequences of climate change on child health and wellbeing and identifies policies that could mitigate negative impacts.
Today's children and future generations will bear a disproportionate share of the burden of climate change, which will affect child wellbeing through many direct, indirect, and societal pathways.
This show of The Future of Children outlines the likely consequences of climate change on child health and wellbeing and identifies policies that could mitigate negative impacts.
Good morning ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to the 4th show of the most energetic climate program in the world!
Today, the artists in our program are children and teenagers.
Today's children and future generations will bear a disproportionate share of the burden of climate change, which will affect child wellbeing through many direct, indirect, and societal pathways.
We are showcasing sustainable and innovative music-related project that fights against climate change. The performers of our show are Angola's most ordinary citizens.
Joining the fight against climate change through music!
Climate change threatens the future stability of the planet. Our artists are using their talents to sound the alarm.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to the 3rd webisode of our climatic show!
Today we have a cybercafe manager, he sings in his church choir. Today he accepted the invitation to sing encouraging people to take care of the environment.
We are showcasing sustainable and innovative music-related project that fights against climate change.
The performers of our show are Angola's most ordinary citizens.
We observed the World Mosquito Day under the theme "Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world".
World Mosquito Day: The purpose of World Mosquito Day is to raise awareness of the various diseases like malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and chikungunya that mosquitoes can transmit.
Video on demand
World Mosquito Day is observed every year on August 20 across the globe. This day serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to safeguard our communities and ourselves against the potentially fatal diseases spread by the insects that are frequently found in houses all over the world.
Diseases like malaria, dengue fever, the Zika virus, and the West Nile virus are spread by mosquitoes. Every year, these illnesses affect and take millions of lives around the globe.
History
It honours the discovery made by Sir Ronald Ross in 1897 that Anopheles mosquitoes carry the malaria parasite, which infects people. Since the 1930s, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has been commemorating the British physician's contributions with an annual ceremony.
Dr Ross named this day as 'Mosquito Day'. This was the first time a medical professional linked malaria to a mosquito. This finding aided in the development of a disease prevention and treatment plan.
Theme
The theme for the 2024 World Mosquito Day is "Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world". The need to close the gaps in access to malaria treatment, diagnosis, and prevention is emphasised by this year's theme. A prompt diagnosis and course of treatment can avert problems and save countless lives.
Significance
The purpose of World Mosquito Day is to raise awareness of the various diseases like malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and chikungunya that mosquitoes can transmit. The day also honours the contributions made by social service providers, medical professionals, and other individuals in the fight against diseases spread by mosquitoes.
The main goal is to get together in the fight to control the mosquito population and prevent disease threats. Many organisations also raise funds and promote measures to control diseases by vaccination and insect repellents.
Climate change is the biggest health threat facing humanity, threatening the progress in development, global health and poverty reduction made over the past 50 years.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Welcome to the second day of our show!
Today we have joyful people and children who sing promoting sustainable actions in the agriculture and food sector, oceans, social life and Child Protection!
We are showcasing sustainable and innovative music-related project that fights against climate change.
The performers of our show are Angola's most ordinary citizens.
Joining the Fight Against Climate Change Through Music!
Ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to our multi-talented channel as we celebrate the 4th anniversary of our startup!
Following the successful completion of our "Ladies Without Plastic" campaign, which showcased inspiring and positive results, we are thrilled to introduce our next initiative: Sustainable Sing and Dance. This new campaign aims to unite our efforts against climate change through the universal language of music.
We are excited to present a showcase of sustainable and innovative music-related projects. Our performers are Angola's most ordinary citizens—bringing together young talents, gifted children from local churches and streets, and dedicated housewives. This diverse group of individuals will grace our stage, demonstrating how music can play a crucial role in the fight against climate change.
Join us as we celebrate the power of music to inspire change and promote sustainability. Stay tuned for an unforgettable experience!
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. But Since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
Reflecting on the Success of the "Ladies Without Plastic" Campaign
Ladieswithoutplastic
Ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to this wonderful event!
Deservedly our founder Sofonie Dala won, and today the applause is all for her!
What we have achieved today is a small part of what we can still achieve with our talents.
Congratulations!
As we look back on the successful completion of the "Ladies Without Plastic" campaign at the end of 2021, we want to share with our followers what has transpired since then. Several months later, in July 2022, the founder of the digital startup "Talentos Multiplus" achieved a significant milestone by winning the 1st Edition of the Young Innovator Award “The Angola We Want by 2030,” in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship category. This award was funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, and we received one million kwanza, approximately one thousand dollars.
The "Ladies Without Plastic" project was conceived to advocate for behavioral change in reducing the earth's vulnerability to climate change and global warming, particularly by addressing the environmental impact of disposable sanitary pads. Our work focuses on women's liberation from harmful restrictions surrounding menstruation by producing washable and reusable menstrual pads that help protect the environment.
As of 2024, the project continues to thrive and remains highly attractive. Our goal is to establish the largest and first factory in Angola dedicated to producing eco-friendly, reusable products for women, children, youth, and elders. We are constantly seeking sponsors to help us achieve this vision, as this project will not only contribute to saving the planet but will also significantly reduce unemployment rates in Angola. It will create thousands of jobs for women and youth, empower women, reduce inequality, drive economic growth, and attract tourists to the country.
Fashion and Art in defence of the environment
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Welcome everyone to our Startup Talentos Multiplus. My name is Sofonie Dala, I'm the founder of this non-profit digital startup that creates awareness on the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Today we are here to talk about one of our most successful projects "Ladies without Plastic".
What is "Ladies Without Plastic"?
"Ladies Without Plastic" is a reusable menstrual pad made of cotton and cloth that aims to mobilize women to change plastic pads that pollute the environment causing climate change. We strongly recommend women to start using our reusable sanitary pads, which do not pollute the environment but reduce the pollution and is also much more cost effective..
This project aims to help reduce the high levels of unemployment in our country, by producing reusable products on a large scale so that more women can have access to these products, and together we can end the period of poverty. We seek to create partnerships with governments, private organizations and other institutions in order to receive financial support.
Through our projects we fight against climate change and environmental pollution, empowering, mobilizing youth, women and girls with non-formal sustainable development training.
This business model, in addition to being educational, also has a very beautiful fashion style. This style intrigues women and makes them very thoughtful. By reading Ladies Without Plastics, they will be learning that plastics pollute the environment.
In 2022 we won the third place in the Young Innovator Award competition. We were happy with the prize of a 1000.000, 00 Angolan kwanzas, which helped us to buy at least one sewing machine.
Unfortunately, it was not enough for us to reach all project goals.
The project needs more support and sponsorships to move up to the next stage which is the implementation and expansion of the project. We have at the top of our agenda the recruitment of some girls and women, since this project not only aims to reduce environmental pollution but also to reduce poverty and unemployment among girls and women.
Therefore, we need more financial resources to support those women and girls who will be producing these menstrual pads. We will also be offering capacity building trainings to equip them with the skills needed for them to get ahead and not be totally dependent on the company. These trainings will help them produce and distribute pads in their communities and neighborhoods that will allow them to generate income for themselves.
We also continue organizing community campaigns to make people aware of the importance of achieving the 17 sustainable goals of the United Nations.
For this project we have already bought a machine, but we have not been able to buy other necessary equipment to continue our project.
These plastic pads that are sold in supermarkets are very expensive and not every woman has the possibility to buy them. It has been a great challenge for a poor mothers with many daughters.
As a solution, we developed Ladies Without Plastic menstrual pad, which is more durable and cheaper. Some women will be able to resell and earn their income.
The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to proclaim March 30 as International Day of Zero Waste every year, and 105 countries have adopted it so far. During this time, UN member states, civil society, the private sector, academia, the youth and other stakeholders are invited to raise awareness of all available zero-waste and waste-management initiatives in the hope that we could come together to eliminate the problem entirely.
In order to make a change, we need to promote circular consumption systems, where the resources at each step of the product's life cycle are reused and recovered. This can significantly minimise damage to our air, land and water.
Industries should contribute by making products more durable and costing fewer low-impact materials. Manufacturers could also opt for less resource-intensive production and transportation methods.
"Zero-waste initiatives can foster sound waste management and minimise and prevent waste, helping to address the triple planetary crisis, protect the environment, enhance food security and improve human health and well-being," the UN note outlines.
We support the SDG4 - quality education and will be keeping offering capacity building training to equip young women with skills to face climate change, especially those living in the most affected areas.
INTERVIEW
Hello!
Hello.
How are you?
I am fine. And you?
Great!
What is your name?
Edvania.
Pleasure to meet you.
Edvania, what do you have in your hands?
I have 2 types of sanitary pads.
Do you always use these pads?
Yes.
Which one do you use the most?
I always use the plastic sanitary pad, but the cloth one I've used a few times.
How have you been using them?
Well, the cloth one is reusable, I can use it several times, but the plastic one is disposable, it is used only once.
What was your experience with the cloth pad?
It has been more economical for me, but the plastic one you always will need money to buy it.
Sustainable music
Let's use the reusable one, plastic-free ladies
Let's use the reusable one, plastic-free girls
Protect the environment, limit pollution,
Let's use the reusable pad, ladies without plastic!
We, as startups, will start promoting environmental awareness campaigns even more strongly in order to educate and help people reduce their carbon footprint on the environment.
BACK IN 2021
Congratulations!
The grand finale- Green Menstruation
Ladies without plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints
The first edition of our challenge -Ladies Without Plastic - Mulher sem plastico, came to an end. This is the first and only climate change show in Angola where women and girls are challenged to switch from disposable menstrual pads to reusable ones in favor of the environment.
Project presentation
As prepared for delivery
Good evening, everyone, and thank you for always being here with us!
My name is Sofonie Dala, I'm pleased to be celebrating with all of you the successful completion of our Women Without Plastic – Green Menstruation Campaign!
The main objective of this movement is to help end period poverty in Angola by empowering women and girls in making reusable pads. We advocate for behavioural change to reduce earth vulnerability to climate change and global warming from disposable sanitary pads, at the same time mobilizing women and girls to switch back to the use of reusable sanitary pads and napkins than disposable sanitary pads that have local ecosystem vulnerable to climate change and global warming.
Creative innovation - Sewing reusable sanitary pads to boost income
We conquered Vanessa, she is one of the local women taking part in our campaign to create eco-friendly, reusable cloth pads. We will be sewing several fabric and organic cotton sanitary pads a day on her machine and distribute them at national level.
Moreover, we started supporting communities with a life-changing skill and helping to protect the environment at the same time.
We provide interactive training in how to make safe, washable and reusable sanitary pads, so people always have access to safe menstrual protection, can help protect the environment, and can create a small income for themselves and their families by selling their extra products at the market.
Interview with Catiana Lueji - Environmental Engineer
Our today's guest is Catiana Lueji, she is an environmental engineer and expert at RNT Angola.
Catiana is a 27 years old environmental engineer and works hard to protect the environment. Some time ago when she became aware that disposable absorbents pollute the environment, she stopped using them immediately and opted to use silicone menstrual cups.
According to her, plastic absorbents have been causing a lot of damage and pollution in the environment, so she recommends women to look for other alternatives such as menstrual cups and washable absorbents as a solution to this problem, which is also more economical and sustainable.
She also explained that women should not be afraid of these objects because the menstrual cup is made of silicone and not plastic, it does not change the size of the vagina and does not cause urinary infection and can last up to 15 years when properly treated.
How to use:
The menstrual cup is one product that’s been gaining in popularity. Usually made of medical-grade silicone and last 10 years leaving very little waste, menstrual cups are inserted into the vagina, where they collect blood during menstruation.They are also safe and easy-to-use, as they can be sterilised using boiling water.
Campaign Report
Plastic pollution is a serious problem and not one that should be treated lightly. Disposable pads and tampons create a lot of waste that goes to the landfill. Much of it is non-biodegradable. They also create pollution of the land and water from the cotton growing process, as well as the manufacturing process. Safe, affordable menstrual products are essential for anyone who menstruates. But around the world, millions of women, girls and people who menstruate can’t afford to buy or don’t have reliable access to the safe menstrual products they need.
With an estimated 200 million adolescent girls living on the frontlines of the climate crises, the link between girls´ education and climate change deserves urgent attention.
In this challenge we explored the powerful role that girls education can play in tackling climate change. Our campaign ended up collecting several stories from girls and women. We conducted in-depth interviews with girls and women aged 12 to 35 years old to explore the acceptability of reusable menstrual products interventions in our communities and aslo to explore implementation issues and their views regarding the effect of menstrual products interventions on the environment.
Common menstrual products being promoted in Angola include commercially made disposable pads and menstrual cups. This large-scale plastic production releases vast amounts of greenhouse gases, which cause air pollution and global warming.
Unfortunately, we have never seen in supermarkets, nor in traditional and digital media promoting or selling washable pads.
According to our research, overall, adult women preferred reusable pads and young girls preferred disposable pads. Most girls highlighted that they are not prepared to use reusable pads simply because they do not want to have contact with menstrual blood and others because they do not want to wash it because they are too lazy to do this several times.
Angola is a country where most women live in extreme poverty. Many women and girls face several challenges including affordability, poor disposal methods, lack of attention on sanitation facilities, lack of equal access to education and the lack of knowledge about the negative impact of human actions on the environment. 70% of the girls interviewed knew nothing about climate change and the damage that their plastic pads have been causing to our environment, others simply never heard about other sustainable alternatives like reusable pads and silicone menstrual cups.
We also talked to some girls who are close to their 15 years old and are still not menstruating, the symptoms they show are similar to the symptom of amenorrhea. Incredibly they are not concerned about contacting a doctor, according to them late menstruation is hereditary because in general, girls in their family start menstruating when they are 16 or 18 years old.
Angola is currently facing the worst drought emergency in the last 38 years as a result of climate change. The effects of the drought include: shortages of food, lack of potable water, cattle dying from disease and malnourished children (among other things).
Angola also has been struggling to manage municipal waste: the capital Luanda alone produces 6,000 tons of solid waste every day, which the city has struggled to manage. Meanwhile, storm runoffs and sewer overflows, mean that a lot of waste ends up in the ocean. At the same time, waste from the oil and gas sector and other industrial activities may pose a serious environmental concern.
Luanda is the capital and largest city in Angola. It is Angola’s primary port, and its major industrial, cultural and urban center. Located on Angola’s northern Atlantic coast, Luanda is Angola’s administrative center, its chief seaport, and also the capital of the Luanda Province.
We strongly recommend women and girls switch to reusable feminine hygiene products. By reusables, I mean a menstrual cup, reusable cloth menstrual pad, or a pair of period panties.
The end of the campaign is not the end of the movement, thanks to all of you who believes and supports our work, we hope to see you soon!
Here’s a glimpse of what living without plastic in order to reduce climate change looks like for women and girls in Angola.
Please click the link below to watch all the series, from 1 to 14:
One in 10 girls in Africa miss school because they don’t have access to sanitary products, or because there aren’t safe, private toilets to use at school.
There is no doubt that our initiative will help keep girls in school and create a future for themsleves.
“Pads are used when money is available and pieces of cloths or blanket are used when there is no money”.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Ditch Disposables - Avoiding single-use items. Sustainable lifestyle challenge by Sofonie Dala - Angola
It’s time to #DitchDisposables and refuse everyday products which cannot be reused!
Swap single use items for reusable alternatives. If the current trend continues there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050!
Shifting consumer behavior away from disposable products to reusable ones
We mean, instead of using disposable pads and tampons that are discarded after just one use, consider using reusable products instead.
Femenine pads and tampons can harm the environment. What’s the alternative?
Over 50% of the world’s population menstruates, and yet conversations about feminine hygiene and the ecological impact of product choices woman make in the space, wasn’t spoken about. Menstruation can be an unpleasant, emotional and painful experience. That time of the month can also be costly — and wasteful.
Menstrual pads are made up of up to 90 per cent plastic and nearly all tampons contain some plastic. “Single-use plastic has a big footprint, both when it’s made and when you throw it away”.
“There’s a huge carbon footprint that goes into making these products, and then they get thrown on the ground, washed into rivers, eaten by fish.” Furthermore, when they become litter, they do immense harm. They take a long time to break down and in the meantime, they’re ugly, they choke fish, they block waterways.
Over 100 billion sanitary napkins, tampons and applicators are dumped into landfills every year. When wrapped in plastic bags, feminine hygiene waste can take centuries to biodegrade. The average woman uses over 11,000 tampons over her lifetime, leaving behind residue far beyond her lifespan.
What are the Alternative Options for everybody?
Not flushing tampons and pads down the toilet is one thing that everyone can do immediately to help enact change. Educating parents about more sustainable period products is important, as it encourages both parent and child to seek reusable options.
Here are some other steps you could take to make your period more sustainable (and potentially healthier):
1) Choose reusable menstrual hygiene products like menstrual cups, period underwear and reusable sanitary napkins.
2) choose organic cotton if you can ― and support transparent brands.
3) Demand that corporations make plastic-free sanitary products.
4) Help make menstruation a bigger public policy priority.
The menstrual cup is one product that’s been gaining in popularity. Usually made of medical-grade silicone, menstrual cups are inserted into the vagina, where they collect blood during menstruation.
Interesting that menstrual cups, reusable pads and sponges are readily available but haven’t gained much traction so far.
“The reality is the products that are more environmentally friendly … are going to be more expensive.” It’s also possible that some people with physical disability are unable to “reach their cervix to insert a menstrual cup.”
There is an urgent need to innovate and find sustainable and yet practical solutions to feminine hygiene challenges.
The problem with stigma is that it often denies women a vocabulary to deal with the issues around menstrual health and hygiene. Open dialogue is the first step in changing the way women deal with menstruation and can create awareness around the need make a switch.
Moreover, the manufacturing of disposable menstrual hygiene products (an almost $6 billion industry) generates a total carbon footprint of about 15 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. That’s the equivalent of burning about 35 million barrels of oil.
#AnatomyOfAction
#ActNow
#GlobalGoals
#ProteinSwaps
By reshaping our needs and wants, we can collectively make the difference in reaching Sustainable Development Goal 12, to ensure responsible consumption and production.
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