Workshops on Disability Inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Menstrual Hygiene Management have commenced in the West and Northwest Regions of #Cameroon, involving Boys and Girls with Disabilities; Caregivers and Parents; Field Workers; staff from Partner Organizations (POs) and Strategic Partner Organizations (SPOs).
Organized by the CBC Health Services Empowerment and Disability Inclusive Development (EDID) Program, the workshops from June 18-19, 2025 had over 100 participants gain valuable knowledge to help them understand their bodies, know their rights, prevent abuse and manage menstrual health. Lead facilitators of the training that would span all 8 regions implementing the EDID Program are Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Experts.
The workshops equipped participants in Understanding Identity and Self Worth; Sexuality and Relationships; Bodies and Puberty (male and female reproductive organs; Menstruation and Hygiene; Relationship Building; Body Autonomy and consent; Safeguarding and Child Protection; SRHR Services: Where to Go and What to Expect; and Building Community of Practice. In Bamenda, experts with a world of knowledge were Mrs. Awa Fanny and Dr Fozao Mbi Vanessa, both SRHR Experts who double as Project Manager of ViiV Projects and Country Director of PATA, Cameroon, respectively.
Participation recorded diverse forms of disabilities including; visual impairment, moto impairment, speech impairment, and mobility impairment etc. The participants were evaluated by the trainers as engaging, keen to learn and share their experiences, and ready to speak up.
“I have learned how to take care of myself as a young man with visual impairment. I have also learned much about menstrual hygiene. There are things I never knew and used to shy away from especially when it concerns girls and menstrual hygiene. I used to feel that girls are nasty when they menstruate. That was wrong. I have also learned about reusable pads. The knowledge I have acquired will help my younger sister and I will also inform boys on how to react when a girl is menstruating and stains herself. Sex education knowledge is not a bad thing and it will help me in the way I interact with girls and boys. Concerning my rights, I have learned that I have to stand for my rights and report if violated”. – Participant with visual impairment.
“On a serious note, I wish to appreciate the organizers and the facilitators of the workshop. It was super excellent. I have learned a lot and noticed that I used to keep a lot of information secret from my girl children. Now I know that I should be telling them about themselves and menstruation. This will help them to open up to me. I have understood a lot on the menstrual cycle to know when it starts, the ovulation period and when it ends. I will spread the knowledge in my communities and as a teacher, I will also educate my learners with the knowledge acquired. I appreciate the efforts of the organizers and plead for more of such trainings”. – Parent of a 12 years old child with visual impairment.
“I am so grateful for this training because it is going to help me in particular. I need to know what I will not hear from elsewhere. Menstrual hygiene is usually looked at as something weird and people with disabilities are stigmatized when they menstruate. This event is good because it is something which is real and even when I am laughed at or mocked at, I should not be bothered”. -Participant with a disability. The workshops have been organized thanks to the funding from the Liliane Foundation and will span through all the 8 regions of Cameroon in the months ahead where, the EDID program works with Partner Organizations to improve services for children, youths and adults with disabilities.