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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
Blossom Flow Foundation, a non governmental organization (NGO)has sensitized female inmates at the Kirikiri Female Custodial Center, Lagos State, on menstrual hygiene and literacy.
The foundation and its team of devoted volunteers and partners embarked on this mission on April 12th, 2024, to provide essential sanitary products and support to over 300 female inmates, including girls, women, nursing mothers, and pregnant women.
“Highlights of the event outreach was an advocacy against periods poverty.
“Moreso, the difficulties women go through to get sanitary pads can only be imagined. The situation is worse for female inmates who do not have the means to get money to buy a menstrual pad and in turn, are forced to suffer the ills of poor sanitary health practices.
To change the narratives, the NGO swung into action by addressing the urgent issue of period poverty among these inmates.
Convener of the initiative, Mrs. Joan Faluyi, said If females residing with their family are faced with this challenge, the inmates we believe are grappling with a more challenging situation because they are not working.
“Poverty and lack or no access to good menstrual hygiene products have pushed many girls and women to use newspapers, nylons, rags, and plantain cubs as menstrual pads.
“According to the group:”Our dedication is to alleviating the challenges faced by these women was evident in every interaction, bringing smiles and a sense of hope to many faces within the center.
“With the support of partners such as Multimodal Transport Technologies Ltd and Offshore Dimensions, and change-makers like Mrs. Ofi Valentina Amiebi-Uchegbu, Blossomflow supplied not just sanitary products but also baby diapers, milk, and napkins. This initiative provided not only physical relief but also emotional support, as evidenced by the heartfelt interactions between the volunteers and the inmates.
Meanwhile, some of the Inmates shared their previous struggles with makeshift sanitary solutions, which often lead to infections and significant discomfort. “The difference is night and day.
“Before, I felt degraded every time I had to resort to using rags, tissue paper or fabric to manage my period,” an inmate recounted.
They expressed gratitude for the effort made by the organization to provide menstrual solutions to them.The visit was marked by emotional exchanges, including a poignant embrace between Mrs. Faluyi and some of them , symbolizing the deep personal connections fostered.
Also they sang and danced, their echoes of joy and gratitude filled the facility, leaving a lasting impression of hope and resilience.
Faluyi said they will continue to advocate for menstrual health and dignity for all women, aiming to shed light on and solve issues of period poverty in even the most challenging environments.
Deputy controller of the female Custodial Center, DCP Esther Taiwo, commended the team for their efforts, the gesture have significantly contributed in building a sense of community and solidarity among the inmates and further improved the living conditions there.
Taiwo appealed to them to continued with the support and partnerships and it would undoubtedly enable Blossomflow to make even greater strides in empowering women and girls across various spectra of society.
