REMEMBERING|| Ladies without plastic - Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Day 6

 WEBISODES FROM 27 NOVEMBER 2021

Women without plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints 👣

Africa educates her - Green menstruation

Greetings for the day! 

Welcome to the sixth day of the Green Menstruation Challenge!

There is an urgent need to innovate and find sustainable and yet practical solutions to feminine hygiene challenges. 

Today we have in the show our charismatic dancer Laudy. She will share with us about her personal hygiene. Many of you know her.

Hello!

Hi.

What is your name?

My name is Laudy.

How old are you?

I'm 18 years old.

Which of these pads do you use?

I use the disposable pad.

Why?

Because it's more convenient for people.

But why do you prefer this one and not the washable pad?

I don't prefer the reusable pad because I don't want to wash it. I don't feel comfortable touching my blood.

Interesting that menstrual cups, reusable pads and sponges are readily available but haven’t gained much traction so far.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.

Laudi has been giving her input in many of our programs. Let's remember her past performance.

Corona Voice - Angola. The tok show with Sofonie Dala.  (Friday, 15 January 2021)

 Corona Dance Angola. Day 43

Pandemic lockdowns might be pervasive, but not all our movements are restricted. This has led to a rise in dance, as people seek fitness, stress relief, healing — and connection.

Our today's guest will show some Covid-19 dancing techniques while staying at home without studying.

Choreography is a conversation.

YO YO YO, quarantine affected me, I spent a long time without studying. Now I'm going to dance!

Quarantine, quarantine quarantine, quarantine

Quarantine, quarantine quarantine, quarantine

YO YO YO, quarantine affected me, I spent a long time without studying. Now I'm going to dance!

Quarantine, quarantine quarantine, quarantine

Quarantine, quarantine quarantine, quarantine

Click here to  see her: https://sofoniedala.blogspot.com/2021/01/corona-voice-angola-tok-show-with_15.html

Africa Educates Her Campaign - Angola. Season 3.  Webisode 15 (Friday, 1 January 2021)

Happy New Year 

Our girls back to school campaign is ongoing. Day 15

In some places, children have been out of school for 9 months or more. Prolonged school closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are presenting an unprecedented challenge to children’s education, health and well-being worldwide. The longer a student stays out of school, the higher their risk of dropping out.

Our today's guest is Laurinda, she will share with us her academic experience during the time of Covid-19 pandemic.

As a result of covid-19, my school was transformed into a living-house

Hello! My name is Laurinda Mateus. I am 17 years old, I study in the 7th class and I live in Angola.

Laurinda how did the coronavirus affect your studies?

Well, I spent a long time without studying, without writing, without seeing my colleagues and teachers.

Now that schools have reopened you are you studying?

No, I am not studying. 

Why?

Because my school was put up for rent now it's people's home. The school was permanently closed. Some citizens living around my school tested positive for covid-19. This insident forced the government to isolate the entire neighborhood including my school. That area stayed for a long time in the sanitary fence. For this reason the owner of the school made the decision to eliminate all educational services and the school was rented out, thus transforming the school into a home. I saw people living there.

During this time that you are at home, have you done anything to continue learning?

Yes, I am taking a medical course.

Have you been following the coronavirus prevention measures?

Yes, I always wash my hands with water and soap, use alcohol gel and mask.

How do you feel, aren't you afraid of coronavirus?

I'm not afraid. Coronavirus is the one who should be afraid of me.

Click here to learn more about Laurinda:

https://sofoniedala.blogspot.com/2021/01/africa-educates-her-campaign-angola.html

REMEMBERING|| Ladies Without Plastic - Green Menstruation Challenge with Sofonie Dala|| Day 5

 Webisode from 26 November 2021

 Our Africa Educates her Campaign season 5 is on going 

Ladies without plastic - key to reduce our carbon footprints

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our green menstruation challenge, where we provide positive workshops and raise awareness about alternative and sustainable menstruation methods!

In developing countries, many girls drop out of school because they cannot afford sanitary pads and tampons. Disposable tampons and pads aren't sustainable, but do women want to talk about it?

Deolinda will share with us about her hygiene preferences and what she thinks about sanitary products.

Good evening girl!

Good evening dear.

How old are you?

I'm 14 years old.

What is your name?

My name is Deolinda.

Okay. Which of these pads do you use?

I use disposable pad.

Why?

Because it's softer and it takes less work to wear.

Why don't you prefer the cloth absorbent?

Because in addition to washing and drying, this is also disgusting and smells bad.

So you don't like using the washable pad because you don't want to smell blood?

Yes, it is disgusting.

Have you ever used the cloth absorbent?

Yes.

Didn't you like the experience?

I didn't like it, it's disgusting, so I prefer to use the disposable pad.

But did you know that disposable absorbent contains plastics that pollute the environment?

Yes, I knew.

And do you still use it?

Yes.

Don't you plan to stop using it someday?

I think it will be impossible.

Not at all, other alternatives are being produced, such as the silicone menstrual cups and washable pads. They are more economical and accessible.

Period poverty is a significant barrier, with girls having to drop out of school because they simply can't afford the menstruation products they need. 

What are the options?

While there are sustainable alternatives on the market, such as silicon menstrual cups, reusable pads and unbleached/organic cotton varieties of disposables, these all remain niche options without huge marketing budgets behind them. 

The same solutions that will make menstruation more sustainable for women in the developed world are what will make it bearable for women in the developing world, who are even more limited in their options.

Interesting links about Deolinda:

Anatomy of Action Challenge for Sustainable Living

Africa Educates Her Campaign 

Girls back to school campaign

The grand finale. Corona Voice - Angola

REMEMBERING|| Ladies Without Plastic - Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Day 4

 WEBISODE FROM 21 NOV 2021

Green Menstruation - Reducing climate change

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, 

Welcome to the 4th day of our environmental challenge: Women Without Plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints! 

Period poverty describes the struggle many low-income women and girls face while trying to afford menstrual products. Difficulty affording menstrual products can cause girls to stay home from school and work, with lasting consequences on their educations and economic opportunities.

Helena Julha is our guest for today. She will share with us about her menstrual journey!

Hello... Good evening!

Good evening, thanks.

What is your name?

My name is Helena Julha.

How old are you?

I'm 17 years old.

Which of these 2 pads do you use?

I use this disposable absorbent.

Why?

This disposable pad makes my life a lot easier. After  using it, I dispose of it directly.

But with the cloth one, I cannot do the same, and I must wash and dry.

Isn't it more economical? You won't always need to spend money to buy disposable pads.

No, after wearing this cloth for a while, it starts to itch and this causes urinary tract infection (rash).

But you must change constantly (several times a day) so as not to cause you itch.

Yes but...

But isn't it more economical?

Yes this is more economical.

Have you ever used the cloth one? 

I never used the cloth one. I don't remember ever using the cloth pad.

And how do you know this causes rash (itching)?

I use to hear what older women say, the ones who prefer to wear this. They say what they feel.

What do you think. Why do older women prefer to use the cloth absorbent and not the disposable one?

I do not know. Some women use washable pads even when they are not menstruating.

OK thanks.

How does menstruation affect the environment?

No, menstruation in itself is not bad for the environment. However, products used to manage menstruation can have a negative impact on the environment, depending on the product and the way it is disposed.

Menstrual products such as tampons and pads often contain plastics and chemicals that are bad for the environment. The time it takes for them to degrade in a landfill is centuries longer than the lifespan of a woman.

More environmentally friendly options include reusable menstrual cups as well as reusable and/or biodegradable pads. 

But in many places, alternative methods are not available or culturally acceptable. In all circumstances, the choice of menstrual product must be acceptable to the people using them. For example, some women are not comfortable with insertable products like menstrual cups. In humid environments, reusable menstrual pads may be difficult to thoroughly dry.

Given the potential environmental consequences of disposable menstrual products, it is important to expand the range of methods available to women, allowing them to make informed choices that fit their needs.

This movement helps to end period poverty in Angola by empowering women and girls in making reusable pads. Disposable pads contains plastic, artificial fragrance and chemical gel. When disposed it takes hundreds and thousands of years to break down in the landfills!

Sofonie Dala - Young Talents from Africa : Ladies Without Plastic - Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Day 4

REMEMBERING: Ladies without plastic - Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Day 3

  Recorded Webisode from November 20, 2021

Women without plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints 👣 

Greetings for the day! 

Welcome to the 3rd day of the Green Menstruation Challenge!

Today we have Luísa in our show. She will share with us about her personal hygiene.

Good morning!

Good morning, thanks.

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Luisa João, I am 35 years old. 

Ok. Which of these pads do you use?

I use this one, the reusable pad.

Why?

Because it's more practical and economical for me. It allows me to save money. 

But for my daughter I buy this one, the disposable one. 

Can you tell us, why? 

Because my daughter doesn't accept to wash. 

So you think that using washable menstrual pads is more sustainable? 

Yes, for me reusable pads are more suitable. After using I can easily wash and dry. 

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. 

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.

Sofonie Dala - Young Talents from Africa : Ladies without plastic - Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Day 3

KEEP CALM: Angolan Researcher and Scholar Sofonie Dala Awarded Prestigious Chevening Scholarship to Study in the UK

I cannot keep calm, I have been chosen for chevening 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

My name is Sofonie Dala, and today, I stand before you with immense pride and joy. I am thrilled to share that I have been chosen for the Chevening Scholarship, a remarkable achievement that fills me with boundless enthusiasm.

Chevening is not just a scholarship; it is a transformative experience that offers the opportunity to study at prestigious institutions across the UK, develop leadership skills, and foster global connections. This program embodies the spirit of inclusivity and empowerment, aligning seamlessly with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 10.

SDG 4, Quality Education, emphasizes the importance of education in driving progress and equality. Chevening epitomizes this goal by providing world-class educational opportunities without discrimination. Regardless of race, disability, religion, gender, or age, Chevening stands as a beacon of hope for those eager to expand their horizons and make a meaningful impact.

Similarly, SDG 10, Reduced Inequalities, advocates for the reduction of disparities within and among countries. Chevening is a testament to this commitment. It offers a platform where diverse voices can be heard and where individuals from various backgrounds can collaborate, innovate, and drive positive change.

Since June, when I learned that my interview was successful, I have passionately advocated for Chevening, sharing my journey with every community I encounter. I have spoken to large audiences, encouraging women and people with disabilities to apply. I have also reached out to the PALOP community—referring to the Portuguese-speaking African countries of Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and São Tomé and Príncipe—emphasizing the importance of learning English, which opens numerous doors and opportunities.

I am deeply grateful to the Chevening team for their belief in me and for making this opportunity possible. I urge everyone here to consider applying for Chevening. It is not merely a chance to study; it is an invitation to become a leader, to break barriers, and to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable world.

Thank you.

------Read in Portuguese --------

Senhoras e Senhores,

Meu nome é Sofonie Dala, e hoje, eu me apresento diante de vocês com imenso orgulho e alegria. Estou radiante em compartilhar que fui escolhida para a Bolsa Chevening, uma conquista extraordinária que me enche de entusiasmo.

Chevening não é apenas uma bolsa de estudos; é uma experiência transformadora que oferece a oportunidade de estudar em instituições prestigiadas no Reino Unido, desenvolver habilidades de liderança e promover conexões globais. Este programa reflete o espírito de inclusão e empoderamento, alinhando-se perfeitamente com os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) 4 e 10.

O ODS 4, Educação de Qualidade, enfatiza a importância da educação na promoção do progresso e da igualdade. Chevening personifica esse objetivo ao oferecer oportunidades educacionais de classe mundial sem discriminação. Independentemente de raça, deficiência, religião, gênero ou idade, Chevening é um farol de esperança para aqueles que desejam expandir seus horizontes e fazer um impacto significativo.

Da mesma forma, o ODS 10, Reduzir Desigualdades, defende a redução das disparidades dentro e entre os países. Chevening é um testemunho desse compromisso. Oferece uma plataforma onde vozes diversas podem ser ouvidas e onde indivíduos de diferentes origens podem colaborar, inovar e promover mudanças positivas.

Desde junho, quando soube que minha entrevista havia sido bem-sucedida, tenho defendido apaixonadamente o Chevening, compartilhando minha jornada com cada comunidade que encontro. Tenho falado para grandes audiências, incentivando mulheres e pessoas com deficiência a se inscreverem. Também alcancei a comunidade PALOP, que se refere aos Países Africanos de Língua Oficial Portuguesa (Angola, Moçambique, Cabo Verde, Guiné-Bissau e São Tomé e Príncipe), ressaltando a importância de aprender inglês, que abre inúmeras portas e oportunidades.

Estou profundamente agradecida à equipe do Chevening pela confiança em mim e por tornar essa oportunidade possível. Incentivo todos aqui a considerar se candidatar ao Chevening. Não é apenas uma chance de estudar; é um convite para se tornar um líder, quebrar barreiras e contribuir para um mundo mais inclusivo e equitativo.

Muito obrigada.

Galeria 

REMEMBERING|| Ladies Without Plastic - Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Day 2

 Recorded Webisode from November 18, 2024

Our Africa Educates her Campaign season 5 is on going. 

Green Menstruation - Day 2

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, 

Welcome to the second day of our environmental challenge Women Without Plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints! 

The main objective of this campaign is to educate women and girls on the benefits of green menstruation and empower them in making reusable pads.

Most menstrual pads are made from 90% plastic. Plastic products can take up to a thousand years to decompose in landfills or in the ocean. Considering the affordability and environmental impact of sanitary pads, cloth is an effective option.

Our guest today is Luquenia Rodrigues, she will tell us about her preferences regarding pads and personal hygiene.

Lady good afternoon!

Good afternoon, Thank you!

What's your name?

My name is Luquenia Rodrigues.

How old are you?

I am 18 years old.

Alright. Which of these pads do you use?

I use this one, the disposable.

Why?

Because I like this one more.

Why doesn't the washable pad appeal to you?

I feel distressed and not comfortable.

Have you ever used the cloth pad?

Yes once, but I didn't like the experience.

What concrete did you not like?

This caused me diaper rash, and I also don't feel good seeing and smelling smell of blood.

Ok, thank you!

One sanitary pad could take 500 to 800 years to decompose as the plastic used is non-biodegradable and can lead to health and environmental hazards. One sanitary pad has plastic equivalent to five plastic bags, so one woman is using menstrual hygiene products equivalent to 60,000 - 75,000 plastic bags.

Every household needs to ensure that sanitary waste should be properly wrapped. The rules say that sanitary waste should be kept in the dry waste bin and should be handed over separately.

What is Green Menstruation? 

Green menstruation is the term used where women use biodegradable menstrual hygiene products, green because they are environment friendly. The products include menstrual cups, organic cotton based pads, reusable cloth pads, and period panties. These options are not only environment friendly but also pocket friendly and really good for women's vaginal and reproductive health.

In a scenario, where safe menstruation for every female is imperative, the debate over sustainable menstruation is still far. This is the perfect time when along with period education we can make women aware about sustainable menstrual hygiene products and the impact on the environment.

Sofonie Dala - Young Talents from Africa : Ladies Without Plastic - Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Day 2