Photo by Tecno Pop 3 for RET.

Article by RET Germany in Niger

TILLEBERI, NIGER – Since 2021, RET Germany in Niger has been working to promote girls’ access and retention in quality primary and secondary education and women’s socio-economic empowerment for inclusive and peaceful development. Assifa Soumaila (13) is learner in CE2 class at the primary school of Diga Banda in Tillaberi (population 16,000), about 110 km north of Niamey. Like many girls her age, Assifa recently faced a delicate challenge: the arrival of her first period.

A lack of guidance to cope with this natural transition led to much anxiety for Assifa. Without proper support and information, she and her classmates have often found themselves on their own, disrupting their daily activities.

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Thanks to the initiative of this BMZ-funded project, a glimmer of hope has appeared in the lives of the girls of Diga Banda. This project has established the distribution of hygiene kits to students of menstruating age, providing relief to Assifa and her classmates. Prior to this intervention, they used pieces of loincloth as a substitute for appropriate sanitary protection, which made them uncomfortable and sometimes prevented them from fully participating in their courses and social life.

A lack of guidance [on coping] with this natural transition led to much anxiety for Assifa… [Now] and her classmates can approach this new phase of life in a more comfortable and stress-free way.

Now, with sanitary pads provided by the project, Assifa and her classmates can approach this new phase of life in a more comfortable and stress-free way. They can attend school regularly, participate in activities, including sports, without fear of teasing or hygiene problems. The students’ mothers also expressed their gratitude to the project, highlighting the relief and peace of mind brought by the hygiene kits. Now, their daughters are no longer afraid to go to school during their periods, a time that used to be a source of embarrassment and embarrassment.

The intervention of this BMZ-funded project, implemented by RET Germany and local partner SongES, has been a real game-changer for the young girls of Diga Banda, providing opportunities for learning and growth without the barriers of taboos and material constraints. This simple but meaningful intervention has had a profound impact on the lives of the girls of Diga Banda, breaking down gender and cultural stereotypes while promoting their regularity and academic performance.

To help us continue this important work in Niger with girls like Assifa, consider making a donation to RET today.