Project aims to end period poverty
Empowering Osire’s women
Ten women living in the Osire Refugee Camp recently underwent training in the making of reusable pads.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Namibia Country Office recently hosted a visit to the Osire Refugee Camp to showcase a sanitary pad-making project.This project is part of the UNFPA’s “Leaving No One Behind (LNOB)” initiative funded by the Embassy of Japan in Namibia, which aims to address menstrual hygiene management, improve livelihoods, and empower marginalised women within the camp with skills in sustainable sanitary pad production.
The project was launched at Osire in July this year, and in collaboration with ONE and UNHCR, empowers 30 refugee women with information on menstrual hygiene management. A core group of ten women were trained to produce reusable sanitary pads, fostering economic independence and sustainability.
This project aims to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes by ensuring consistent access to reusable sanitary pads, offering a sustainable alternative to disposable products. This intervention not only addresses period poverty but also enhances the dignity, health and well-being of women and girls in the camp.
Speaking during the visit, the Japanese Ambassador to Namibia Hisao Nishimaki said that Japan’s support for this project aligns with their Country Development Cooperation Policy for Namibia, which emphasises sustainable and inclusive economic and social development.
“Under this policy, we prioritise poverty reduction and livelihood improvement, particularly in rural areas. The LNOB Project is a direct embodiment of these priorities, ensuring that marginalised groups, such as persons with disabilities, pregnant and lactating women, and out-of-school youth are not left behind,” he said.
Through the LNOB project, the UNFPA aims to advance gender equality and improve SRH. Funded by the Japanese Supplementary Budget, the initiative was implemented in Ohangwena, Omusati, Kunene, Zambezi, Khomas, Otjozondjupa and Erongo during 2023/24.
The project aims to empower youth by developing life skills, building self-esteem, and supporting sustainable income-generation activities; expand community-level response services to address mental health challenges; and increase access to maternal health services and GBV prevention and response mechanisms, particularly in vulnerable communities.