“This is the first time I have received such a package since the day I was displaced. All the items in the bag are crucial, and I truly need them,” shares Amina*, a 25-year-old mother of three, after receiving a dignity kit during the distribution at Bulla Gaduud site in Kismayo.
While having access to period products is a public health and human rights issue, in Somalia, women like Amina struggle to obtain them. In Kismayo, a packet of period pads costs about USD$1, but a large part of the displaced community cannot afford that. Oftentimes, women and girls are forced to use torn clothes and other materials, which, besides being uncomfortable and unhygienic, can cause various harms, especially to women and girls who have been subjected to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
To help resolve this situation, Northern Frontier Youth League (NoFYL), with support from Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF), provided dignity kits containing essential items to 89 women and adolescent girls across displacement sites in Kismayo. These kits enables women and girls restore their confidence and participate in public life and community decision-making processes. They contain items such as sanitary pads, Somali dress, shawl, women’s underwear, headscarf, petticoat, and bar soap, gave Amina and many other women and girls the tools they needed to manage their periods with dignity.
Mariam* waits patiently amid the bustling distribution, where the air is filled with chatter and the hopeful expressions of women and girls eager to receive the dignity kits. When her name is called, she swiftly makes her way. When she reached the registry desk, she provided her name and age, signing the list before receiving her kit. She then joined the rest of the group in verifying that the items in their bags matched the contents of the dignity kit.
“I came here today hoping to get this kit,” Mariam shares. “We received three of each item, and I especially love the dirac (Somali dress). The ones I have are worn out, and I only own three, so changing them is difficult. I plan to give one of the new dirac to my daughter. All the other items in the bag are valuable, and we are grateful to NoFYL for this great support,” says Mariam, showing us the torn dress she was wearing during the distribution.
On the International Day of the Girl Child, observed on October 11th, NoFYL marked the occasion by distributing dignity kits to adolescent girls in displacement sites across Kismayo. As part of the distribution, we engaged in conversations with the girls to discuss their challenges and break down taboos surrounding menstrual hygiene. We also shared information on gender-based violence, services available and reporting mechanisms.
Awal is a 14-year-old girl from Karan Usle site in Kismayo. She recalls using a piece of cloth when she first experienced her monthly period at 11, as it was the only alternative her mother could afford.
“If the monthly periods suddenly started, I used to miss vital lessons. I had to run home to change the discomforting pieces of clothes I was using because my mother can’t afford sanitary pads,” says Awal, says Awal, who turned 14 in June.
Awal received three sanitary pads, chucking off the discomforting old cloths. “These rags were not only rough but also smelly and a breeding ground for infections. But the new ones are soft,” she explains.
Awal takes a moment to answer the question on how she feels the support could be improved. As she skims through the kits, she finally responds: “I wish we could receive dignity kits every month,” she said with a smile. “It would also be great if the sanitary pads were reusable; they’re much better than the disposable ones.”
Habiba Mohamud, NoFYL’s case worker in Kismayo said, “In any crisis situation, sexual and reproductive health needs are often overlooked. Displaced women and girls have no source of income and prioritize the little money they have on food and other urgent family needs, leaving them unable to afford the sanitary products. This assistance is, therefore, invaluable.”
During the distribution, NoFYL team conducts awareness raising sessions for women and girls. Habiba leads these sessions: “Ensuring women and girls have access to essential GBV information is a vital part of our work. We conduct sessions which covers sexual and reproductive health, along with gender-based violence prevention, risk mitigation, and response services. These sessions also involve how women and girls can also take care of themselves. We try to make them more aware about their bodies, help them understand that menstruation is completely normal, and teach them about how to take care of their reproductive health,” explains Habiba
Distribution Photos:
