Photo by RET Germany

Article by HAMISSOU KORAOU M. Moctar, Chargé de Projet Protection, Maradi, RET Germany

MARADI, NIGER – As part of our interventions for the protection and empowerment of women and girls, RET Germany places the promotion of menstrual hygiene at the heart of its community actions. Considered an essential lever to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) and reduce girls’ school dropout, this approach is part of a holistic vision aimed at strengthening individual and collective resilience while promoting the socio-economic inclusion of beneficiaries.

 

On the most recent World Day of Humanitarian Action (August 19), RET Germany in Niger carried out a symbolic and concrete activity consisting of the distribution of 24 dignity kits to women and girls aged 14 to 30 in the localities of Garin Kaka, Chadakori and Dan Dadji Makaou. Program participants received kits consisting of essential items (loincloth, soap, underwear, shoes, sanitary napkins, ointment, bleach, perfume, hijab and bag marked RET and UNHCR) meeting their specific needs in terms of hygiene and dignity.

Photos by RET Germany

In the village of Chadakori, one participant, full of emotion and stressing the importance of this gesture for women in vulnerable situations, told our team: “I am the one who knows the value of this content. It comes at the right time for me and I will use it for my hygiene.”

 

At the same time, interactive awareness-raising sessions were organized around three key themes:

• Good practices for the use and maintenance of reusable sanitary napkins;
• Adapted personal and menstrual hygiene;
• The role of education in preventing early marriage and empowering girls.

 

These participatory exchanges have helped to lift many taboos related to menstruation, strengthen life skills and encourage increased community support for girls’ schooling and protection. By combining kit distribution and community education, RET Germany helps reduce barriers related to menstrual hygiene while promoting a protective and inclusive environment. These actions promote social cohesion, reduce gender inequalities and empower women and girls.

 

In the continuity of this initiative, RET Germany in Niger intends to capitalize on these achievements by multiplying awareness-raising actions and consolidating community monitoring mechanisms for a sustainable and replicable impact in all our interventions across the country.

The project “Combatting gender-based violence (GBV), promoting child protection and community-based protection in Maradi” (2023–2025) has been made possible with generous funding from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. It is being implemented by RET Germany in Niger.

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