Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Issue link: http://horizons.epubxp.com/i/521232
W hen a group from the Congo Mission Network and Rivers of the World (Congo–Kasai chapter) 1 traveled to Democratic Republic of Congo in June 2014, we took small kits that could represent dignity, health and opportunity. We took Days for Girls (Df G) kits—drawstring fabric bags filled with hand-sewn, reusable female hygiene supplies, as well as information on how to use and care for the supplies, what a period is, how to kill germs and more. Besides meeting a need, the kits represent the opportunity to stay in school and freedom from the stigma attached to a girl's monthly cycle. Women and girls in impoverished areas struggle to manage menstruation without sufficient water, sanitary sup- plies and toilet facilities. Millions of girls miss significant blocks of time in school because of their menstrual cycles. Many are forced to leave school when they reach puberty, both because of their more complex hygiene needs and because they are considered ready to marry. Df G says disposable products aren't an option because of the cost and because proper disposal can be difficult. In impoverished communities, public services, including trash service, are often nonexistent. There are also envi- ronmental concerns; incineration, one of the easiest methods of disposal, pollutes. Further, Df G says, "improp- erly discarded pads are a health risk that can add to the stigma we are trying to help girls break." 2 Many girls and women worldwide use rags, newspaper, bark, grass, even dried dung, to absorb the flow. The Impact of Days for Girls The goal of Days for Girls is for "every girl and woman in the world to have access to her choice of quality feminine hygiene supplies that she can depend on month after month." This is accom- plished "through direct distribution of supplies via many nonprofits, churches and service groups; by raising aware- ness; and by helping other organiza- tions start their own programs." Days for Girls also helps communities develop strategies for teaching repro- ductive health and safety, constructing kits, and training and equipping others. Ensuring access to feminine hygiene supplies removes barriers to education and self-worth. "Through sustainable feminine hygiene solutions," Days for Girls says, "Df G is restoring opportu- nity to girls who have grown up believing there is something embarrass- ing or taboo about menstruation. Days for Girls reverses cycles of harmful beliefs through products and education that remind girls and women they are beauti- ful, powerful and worthy of care." 3 In the last five-plus years, Days for Girls has provided hygiene solutions to women and girls in more than 80 nations. In the past year and a half, it has grown from 65 chapters to more than 220 chapters and teams of passionate, committed volunteers who make and distribute feminine hygiene kits. Connecting with Days for Girls As a member of the Congo Mission Network, and in partnership with Rivers of the World, my husband and I have visited the Democratic Republic of Congo annually since 2012. We help with various projects supported by the PC(USA) and PC(USA) mission co- workers. We bring medical supplies to Christian Medical Institute of Kasai (IMCK) 4 and their satellite hospitals, provide support for the nutrition center at IMCK, and various orphanages and clinics in the Kasai region. When we learned about Days for Girls, we knew it was a good way for our congregation s u p p o r t i n g m i s s i o n 44 A Mission for Justice: Menstrual Hygiene t t t BY MELISSA JOHNSON Here's What You Can Do To adopt Days for Girls as a mission activity, go to www.daysforgirls.org to see if there is a chapter or team in your area and contact them to learn how you can get involved. Here are a few examples of how you can participate. 4 Create kits. 4 Donate particular items for the kits. 4 Make a donation to fund kits. 4 Partner with Days for Girls to distribute kits. T