ESFA Commemorates Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 with Sanitary Pad Donation and Health Sensitization in Buea, Cameroon

On May 28, 2026, as the world came together to observe Menstrual Hygiene Day, a global campaign dedicated to breaking period stigmas and advocating for a world where no one’s potential is held back by a natural bodily process. Ethical and Sustainable Future for All teamed up with the Mental Change Promoters Association for a powerful sensitization and outreach campaign at Global Change Inclusive Technical College in Mile 16-Buea, Southwest Region of Cameroon. We reached out to over 40 young girls, equipping them with both the physical tools and the vital knowledge they need to manage their menstrual health with confidence.

The atmosphere at the school premises was filled with energy and open dialogue. Berinyuy Cajetan, President of Ethical and Sustainable Future for All , addressed the students on the deep-rooted history of Menstrual Hygiene Day, initiated in 2013 by the German NGO WASH United and first observed globally in 2014. He stressed that menstruation is not something to hide or feel ashamed of; it is a fundamental part of the female life cycle. By openly discussing it, we can actively dismantle the culture of silence that surrounds it. “With more awareness on menstruation, the stigma will reduce, and our girls can thrive without fear or embarrassment.” — Berinyuy Cajetan, President of ESFA

Good intentions aren’t enough, girls need accurate, actionable health education. During the session, Yenykom Ufilia, Executive Officer of the Mental Change Promoters Association, led a hands-on demonstration on how to properly use and dispose of sanitary pads. She shared life-changing anatomical facts that many young girls are never taught:

• The Importance of Cleanliness: Keeping undergarments and the genital area clean is non-negotiable for reproductive health.
• The Self-Cleaning Vagina: She explicitly cautioned the girls never to wash the inside of the vagina with commercial soaps, explaining that it naturally cleans itself and that soap can disrupt its healthy balance.

Adding to the mentorship, Mr. Fai Berinyuy, President of the Mental Change Promoters Association, stepped up to offer crucial life advice to the teenage students. He emphasized the power of focusing on their education and abstaining from early sexual activity to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and reproductive infections.

Every year, millions of girls around the globe miss crucial school days simply because they cannot afford sanitary products or lack access to private, safe toilets. This “period poverty” directly harms their economic and educational futures.

By delivering sanitary pads directly to the students at Global Change Inclusive Technical College, Ethical and Sustainable Future for All and partners addressed the core pillars of menstrual hygiene:

• Providing safe, reliable materials to manage their periods.
• Offering age-appropriate, accurate information to debunk dangerous myths.
• Ensuring these girls know their community stands behind them.

About ESFA:

Founded in 2019 and officially registered in 2021, ESFA is proud to call Buea our home. Our core mission spans sustainable development, environmental protection, and human rights. But at the very heart of what we do is gender justice.

We strive to mainstream gender equality in every project, pushing for behavioral changes that lift women and girls into leadership roles and community activism. Crucially, we also believe that true equality involves engaging men and boys as active allies in preventing gender-based violence.

Yesterday’s outreach was just one step in our lifelong journey toward a fairer, more sustainable future.

How You Can Get Involved

Change doesn’t happen in a vacuum. You can support the global movement and our local efforts by:

1. Raising Awareness: Start open conversations in your own families and circles to normalize periods.
2. Supporting Initiatives: Donate to organizations like ESFA that put physical resources directly into the hands of those who need them most.
3. Advocating: Call on local schools and institutions to prioritize private washrooms and accessible sanitary care.