Isabel Marques is our guest today, she will share a little about her hygiene preferences, and she will know the consequences of her choices.
Good morning lady!
Good Morning.
What's your name?
My name is Isabel Marques.
How old are you?
I am 28 years old.
Okay. Which of these pads do you use?
I use the disposable.
Why do you prefer this one?
Because I like it more.
Have you ever used the reusable absorbent?
No, never used it.
Wouldn't you like to try it?
I don't know, I never thought about that.
Did you know that this disposable pad contains plastics that harm the environment causing global warming?
No, I didn't know that.
For this reason, we recommend using the washable absorbent.
Okay, I'll try using the cloth pad, let's see what happens.
Well-educated girls and women have been identified as a powerful part of the solution to the climate change problem. By educating girls, you empower them to be women leaders in their families, communities, and nations “who really understand the context and the challenge.
Our Africa Educates her Campaign season 5 is on going
Green Menstruation - Webisode 7
Good evening ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to the seventh day of our environmental challenge Women Without Plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints!
Greenhouse emissions
That little strip of plastic on the back of your pad that holds it in place - not only is it non-biodegradable, but it requires a huge amount of fossil fuel to manufacture.
Menstrual hygiene products emit about 15 million tonnes of greenhouse gases during the manufacturing process and can take up to 35 million barrels of oil to produce. So if you’re trying to make a greener impact on the world, it’s time to think twice about your period protection.
Our guest today is a tireless girl Engracia, she is always ready to contribute to a greater good of her community.
Good evening!
Good evening.
Which of these two pads do you use?
I use this one, the disposable.
Why?
Because it's the easiest.
But what's easy there?
Because after using it and just take it out and throw it away.
Have you ever used the washable pad?
No.
Why?
Because after using it, I'll have to wash it, touch the blood with my hands, I think it's disgusting. I do not like.
Did you know that disposables contain plastic that pollute the environment?
I did not know.
Did you also know that this menstrual waste when thrown in the landfill causes global warming?
I didn't know either.
New options for feminine hygiene products could greatly reduce solid waste impacts and have other environmental benefits.
The average person who menstruates will spend 10 years bleeding in her lifetime! She’ll use more than 11,000 tampons or pads during this time. Imagine that piled up in front of you. Now times that by 2 billion (that’s how many women are of menstruating age right now). It’s estimated that worldwide there are around 100 billion menstrual hygiene products disposed of annually. That’s a lot of waste. And each bit of plastic could take between 500 and 800 years to decompose.
So does switching to a more sustainable method for managing your period really make a difference? Yes. It certainly does.
Engracia has always participated in all our campaigns. Let's remember her previous performance
Anatomy Of Action for sustainable lifestyle -Friday, 15 October 2021
.
Hi, Good afternoon!
Hey, good afternoon. My name is Engracia.
Engracia how old are you?
I'm 15 years old.
Could you talk about your lifestyle and the environment where you live?
The situation in our environment is bad. People have been cutting trees constantly, there is a lot of garbage in the street and the burning of tires have been polluting the air.
What are some unsustainable actions in your view that man has been doing that harms the environment?
People urinate on the streets, some foods we eat are not so good, for example the excess of white rice causes anemia, inflames people's faces, eyes turn yellow, eating food without oil and food with a lot of oil also harms our health.
What do you consume that is good for your health?
I eat beans, vegetables and greens.
What kind of beverage do you drink?
I drink water.
Is the water you drink clean?
Some waters are clean and others are dirty.
What do you think we can do to change this situation?
We have to treat the water well. Because if we consume dirty water it will make us sick and we will end up in the hospital.
“Our work continues to break down the barriers that can still prevent girls getting an education in developing countries. While great strides have been made towards increasing girls’ participation in education, the same cannot be said for children with disabilities. Therefore, this campaign is dedicated to all disabled and illiterate girls in developing world."
Let's start our program with a hot dance.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet our dancers Nicha, Catia and Engracia!
[These teenagers are students of the second level at school]
Girls back to school after lockdown, season 3 - Sunday, 31 January 2021
“Education is the only thing that cannot be taken away. It is the key to fulfilling girl's dreams.”
Introduction
Hello, my name is Engrácia, I am 14 years old, I am from Angola and I study in the 7th class.
How has the coronavirus affected you?
The coronavirus has affected my academic life. When covid-19 emerged I stopped studying and was forced to stay at home.
Now that school has reopened, have you gone back to school?
Yes I went back to school thanks to God.
Did your school distribute any biosecurity materials?
No.
What are the prevention measures that the school advises you to follow?
Always wash hands, do not touch doorknobs, do not exchange pencils with colleagues and always keep a meter away from colleagues.
How is your academic development going? Did you forget anything you learned before?
My academic development is going more or less. Yes, I forgot a lot. I practically no longer remember the things we studied, and in this second phase of the schools reopening, we started writing our exams at one blow.
Isn't this difficult for you?
It is. It has been very difficult for me.
Have all your colleagues who studied with you before the pandemic returned to school?
Yes, everyone came back to school thanks to God.
How do you feel when you enter school? Aren't you afraid?
I am very afraid. Every time I enter school I get the feeling that I will find a colleague with Covid-19 and can easily contaminate me, or by touching my desk, probably an infected colleague has touched it before and I will also catch the disease.
I am always afraid but I have been praying to God to protect me from this disease.
The longer schools remained closed, the more damaging the consequences, especially for children from more disadvantaged backgrounds. As schools closed then, kids, and mostly girls, weren't able to learn as well or at all at home since their responsibilities shifted to caring for the home and family, and making money.
Women without plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints👣
Africa educates her - Green menstruation
Greetings for the day!
Welcome to the sixth day of the Green Menstruation Challenge!
There is an urgent need to innovate and find sustainable and yet practical solutions to feminine hygiene challenges.
Today we have in the show our charismatic dancer Laudy. She will share with us about her personal hygiene. Many of you know her.
Hello!
Hi.
What is your name?
My name is Laudy.
How old are you?
I'm 18 years old.
Which of these pads do you use?
I use the disposable pad.
Why?
Because it's more convenient for people.
But why do you prefer this one and not the washable pad?
I don't prefer this one because I don't want to wash it. I don't feel comfortable touching my blood.
Interesting that menstrual cups, reusable pads and sponges are readily available but haven’t gained much traction so far.The problem with stigma is that it often denies women a vocabulary to deal with the issues around menstrual health and hygiene. Open dialogue is the first step in changing the way women deal with menstruation and can create awareness around the need make a switch.
Laudi has been giving her input in many of our programs. Let's remember her past performance.
Pandemic lockdowns might be pervasive, but not all our movements are restricted. This has led to a rise in dance, as people seek fitness, stress relief, healing — and connection.
Our today's guest will show some Covid-19 dancing techniques while staying at home without studying.
Choreography is a conversation.
YO YO YO, quarantine affected me, I spent a long time without studying. Now I'm going to dance!
Quarantine, quarantine quarantine, quarantine
Quarantine, quarantine quarantine, quarantine
YO YO YO, quarantine affected me, I spent a long time without studying. Now I'm going to dance!
Our girls back to school campaign is ongoing. Day 15
In some places, children have been out of school for 9 months or more. Prolonged school closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are presenting an unprecedented challenge to children’s education, health and well-being worldwide. The longer a student stays out of school, the higher their risk of dropping out.
Our today's guest is Laurinda, she will share with us her academic experience during the time of Covid-19 pandemic.
As a result of covid-19, my school was transformed into a living-house
Hello! My name is Laurinda Mateus. I am 17 years old, I study in the 7th class and I live in Angola.
Laurinda how did the coronavirus affect your studies?
Well, I spent a long time without studying, without writing, without seeing my colleagues and teachers.
Now that schools have reopened you are you studying?
No, I am not studying.
Why?
Because my school was put up for rent now it's people's home. The school was permanently closed. Some citizens living around my school tested positive for covid-19. This insident forced the government to isolate the entire neighborhood including my school. That area stayed for a long time in the sanitary fence. For this reason the owner of the school made the decision to eliminate all educational services and the school was rented out, thus transforming the school into a home. I saw people living there.
During this time that you are at home, have you done anything to continue learning?
Yes, I am taking a medical course.
Have you been following the coronavirus prevention measures?
Yes, I always wash my hands with water and soap, use alcohol gel and mask.
How do you feel, aren't you afraid of coronavirus?
I'm not afraid. Coronavirus is the one who should be afraid of me.
Welcome to the 4th day of our environmental challenge : Women Without Plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints!
Period poverty describes the struggle many low-income women and girls face while trying to afford menstrual products. Difficulty affording menstrual products can cause girls to stay home from school and work, with lasting consequences on their educations and economic opportunities.
Helena Julha is our guest for today. She will share with us about her menstrual journey!
Hello... Good evening!
Good evening, thanks.
What is your name?
My name is Helena Julha.
How old are you?
I'm 17 years old.
Which of these 2 pads do you use?
I use this disposable absorbent.
Why?
This disposable pad makes my life a lot easier. After using it, I dispose of it directly.
But with the cloth one, I cannot do the same, and I must wash and dry.
Isn't it more economical? You won't always need to spend money to buy disposable pads.
No, after wearing this cloth for a while, it starts to itch and this causes urinary tract infection (rash).
But you must change constantly (several times a day) so as not to cause you itch.
Yes but...
But isn't it more economical?
Yes this is more economical.
Have you ever used the cloth one?
I never used the cloth one.I don't remember ever using the cloth pad.
And how do you know this causes rash (itching)?
I use to hear what older women say, the ones who prefer to wear this. They say what they feel.
What do you think. Why do older women prefer to use the cloth absorbent and not the disposable one?
I do not know. Some women use washable pads even when they are not menstruating.
OK thanks.
How does menstruation affect the environment?
No, menstruation in itself is not bad for the environment. However, products used to manage menstruation can have a negative impact on the environment, depending on the product and the way it is disposed.
Menstrual products such as tampons and pads often contain plastics and chemicals that are bad for the environment. The time it takes for them to degrade in a landfill is centuries longer than the lifespan of a woman.
More environmentally friendly options include reusable menstrual cups as well as reusable and/or biodegradable pads.
But in many places, alternative methods are not available or culturally acceptable. In all circumstances, the choice of menstrual product must be acceptable to the people using them. For example, some women are not comfortable with insertable products like menstrual cups. In humid environments, reusable menstrual pads may be difficult to thoroughly dry.
Given the potential environmental consequences of disposable menstrual products, it is important to expand the range of methods available to women, allowing them to make informed choices that fit their needs.
This movement helps to end period poverty in Angola by empowering women and girls in making reusable pads. Disposable pads contains plastic, artificial fragrance and chemical gel. When disposed it takes hundreds and thousands of years to break down in the landfills!
Women without plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints 👣
Greetings for the day!
Welcome to the 3rd day of the Green Menstruation Challenge!
Today we have Luísa in our show. She will share with us about her personal hygiene.
Good morning!
Good morning, thanks.
Please introduce yourself.
My name is Luisa João, I am 35 years old.
Ok. Which of these pads do you use?
I use this one, the reusable pad.
Why?
Because it's more practical and economical for me. It allows me to save money.
But for my daughter I buy this one, the disposable one.
Can you tell us, why?
Because my daughter doesn't accept to wash.
So you think that using washable menstrual pads is more sustainable?
Yes, for me reusable pads are more suitable. After using I can easily wash and dry.
Over 100 billion sanitary napkins, tampons and applicators are dumped into landfills every year. When wrapped in plastic bags, feminine hygiene waste can take centuries to biodegrade. The average woman uses over 11,000 tampons over her lifetime, leaving behind residue far beyond her lifespan.
Here are some other steps you could take to make your period more sustainable (and potentially healthier):
1) Choose reusable menstrual hygiene products like menstrual cups, period underwear and reusable sanitary napkins.
2) choose organic cotton if you can ― and support transparent brands.
3) Demand that corporations make plastic-free sanitary products.
4) Help make menstruation a bigger public policy priority.
Our Africa Educates her Campaign season 5 is on going.
Green Menstruation - Day 2
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to the second day of our environmental challenge Women Without Plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints!
The main objective of this campaign is to educate women and girlson the benefits of green menstruation and empower them in making reusable pads.
Most menstrual pads are made from 90% plastic. Plastic products can take up to a thousand years to decompose in landfills or in the ocean. Considering the affordability and environmental impact of sanitary pads, cloth is an effective option.
Our guest today is Luquenia Rodrigues, she will tell us about her preferences regarding pads and personal hygiene.
Lady good afternoon!
Good afternoon, Thank you!
What's your name?
My name is Luquenia Rodrigues.
How old are you?
I am 18 years old.
Alright. Which of these pads do you use?
I use this one, the disposable.
Why?
Because I like this one more.
Why doesn't the washable pad appeal to you?
I feel distressed and not comfortable.
Have you ever used the cloth pad?
Yes once, but I didn't like the experience.
What concrete did you not like?
This caused me diaper rash, and I also don't feel good seeing and smelling smell of blood.
Ok, thank you!
One sanitary pad could take 500 to 800 years to decompose as the plastic used is non-biodegradable and can lead to health and environmental hazards. One sanitary pad has plastic equivalent to five plastic bags, so one woman is using menstrual hygiene products equivalent to 60,000 - 75,000 plastic bags.
Every household needs to ensure that sanitary waste should be properly wrapped. The rules say that sanitary waste should be kept in the dry waste bin and should be handed over separately.
What is Green Menstruation?
Green menstruation is the term used where women use biodegradable menstrual hygiene products, green because they are environment friendly. The products include menstrual cups, organic cotton based pads, reusable cloth pads, and period panties. These options are not only environment friendly but also pocket friendly and really good for women's vaginal and reproductive health.
In a scenario, where safe menstruation for every female is imperative, the debate over sustainable menstruation is still far. This is the perfect time when along with period education we can make women aware about sustainable menstrual hygiene products and the impact on the environment.
Women Without Plastic - Swap single use menstrual pads for reusable alternative
Leveraging girls’ and women’s education is a powerful part of the solution to climate change
BOOM! That's the sound of our new campaign Women without Plastic as key to reduce Climate Change.
Even though girls are significantly impacted by climate change, they are also powerful agents of change, capable of strengthening a country’s response to climate change.
Ladies Without Plastic - Key to reduce our Carbon Footprints
This movement helps to end period poverty in Angola by empowering women and girls in making reusable pads. Disposable pads contains plastic, artificial fragrance and chemical gel. When disposed it takes hundreds and thousands of years to break down in the landfills!
Moreover, the manufacturing of disposable menstrual hygiene products (an almost $6 billion industry) generates a total carbon footprint of about 15 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. That’s the equivalent of burning about 35 million barrels of oil. On average a woman has her period from 3 to 7 days menstruating approximately 468 periods over 38years between ages 13 – 51 years. This implies 2,280 days with her period and uses an average of 11,000 sanitary pads in her life time.
Climate change affects women
We advocate for behavioural change to reduce earth vulnerability to climate change and global warning from disposable sanitary pads. Work on women liberation against harmful restrictions surrounding menstruation.
We mobilise women to switch back to the use of reusable sanitary pads and napkins than disposable sanitary pads that have local ecosystem vulnerable to climate change and global warming.
With an estimated 200 million adolescent girls living on the frontlines of the climate crises, the link between girls´ education and climate change deserves urgent attention. In our cloud platform we explore the powerful role that education can play in tackling climate change.
133 years ago, the disposable menstrual pads grew from a Benjamin Franklin invention created to help stop wounded soldiers from bleeding. However, these cultural norms did not stop technological innovation: the first disposable pads hit the market in 1896. Today, menstrual products are a multi-billion dollar worldwide industry, with prime-time ads and countless products on the market.
COP26: why education for girls is crucial in the fight against climate change
Last week the Glasgow climate change conference also dedicated to recognising gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls in climate policy and action.
Education for girls can be a pathway for fighting the climate crisis in three key ways:
education in both the sciences and social sciences is necessary to address climate change. Girls’ participation in these fields will drive innovation in green technologies as well as a social approach to resilience built on equality
formal education can build on women and girls’ existing community-based knowledge regarding disaster risk reduction and help them respond to climate emergencies
education creates pathways to more independent decision-making for women and girls around work, family planning and community engagement. It also creates opportunities for leadership and participation in formal decision-making.
Business Breakfast with World Bank's Vice President, Hafez Ghanem
The World Bank Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, Hafez Ghanem, arrived in Angola on the 8th of this month, for a new partnership with the Angolan Executive. In addition to Hafez Ghanem, the full delegation also includes Sérgio Pimenta, Regional Vice President of the IFC-International Finance Corporation, one of the arms of the World Bank Group (WBG).
The joint visit to Angola, from 8 to 11 November 2021, aimed to discuss the work of the World Bank Group and the new partnership for Angola, focused on the agenda of reforms and economic diversification strategies. Climate change and adaptation, empowering women and girls are other items on the agenda.
During the joint visit, Hafez Ghanem and Sérgio Pimenta met with Angolan Government officials, civil society organizations, development partners and representatives of the private sector.
Hafez Ghanem was concerned about the poor efficiency of the health and education sectors in Angola, as well as the despair of young Angolans who have been in the unemployment situation for many years and the increased domestic violence against women during the pandemic.
The Digital Entrepreneur Sofonie Dala, had the privilege of presenting to the World Bank delegation the Africa Educates Her Campaign and also spoke about the barriers that prevent Angolan girls from accessing education, caused by poverty, teenage pregnancy, child marriage, cultural norms and practices, poor infrastructure, violence and fragility, Covid-19, etc.
Sofonie Dala when presenting her new campaign Women Without Plastic - Swap single use menstrual pads for reusable alternative, stressed that education for girls can be a pathway for fighting the climate crisis. This initiative will help to end period poverty in Angola by empowering women and girls in making reusable pads.
Another reason for the visit of the World Bank delegation to Angola, was to evaluate and deepen the partnerships of the Bretton Woods institution with the Government of Angola, which obtained support of 700 million dollars (more than 400 billion kwanzas) this year.
The IFC (International Finance Corporation) is the arm of the World Bank dedicated to supporting the private sector in emerging markets. It works in over 100 countries, using capital, experience and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. For the year 2021, an amount of 31.5 billion dollars is forecast to support private companies and financial institutions in developing countries.
