My Journey

I am Nadum Feka Parchibell, a teacher and gender advocate. I am a CameroonIan and an only daughter with 5 brothers. I come from an area where tradition is very strong and women's rights are not fully respected
Women suffer from a lot of maltreatment in the societydomestic violence, rape, poverty, under scholarization among others. Menstruation is a serious problem as some women and girls can't afford 600frs CFA to but a pack of pads. They use dirty foams, rags, leavespapers etc, to protect themselves. In the course of using these things, they get infectious that become very dangerous due to poor or no treatment. The girls are forced to stay at home during their periods because they are ashamed of the mockery they get when they are messed up with blood.
I am presently on a menstrual hygiene in some parts of Cameroon. I am teaching the girls and women on puberty, menstrual hygiene and sewing of washable pads. In areas where they don't have the machines, I give them the pads for free with savon to wash them after using them.
I work with St. Mary di Rosa Academies in the USA. I got the training from them on sewing the pads as well as the pads to distribute. We are trying to reach out to as many women and girls as possible all over Cameroon.
My target is girls and women. I want as am by girls as possible back in school. I want them to actively take part in activities like sports without being afraid or ashamed. I want them to know that menstruation is what makes us to be women and mothers and not a frightful thing or a myth.
I need more entrepreneurial skills and trainings as most of the women I train, produce these pads for themselves and to sell to gain an income to take care of other needs. I also need training materials to be able to train effectively and reach out to many women and girls in the rural areas in my country.