Threads of Dignity: Stories of Women, Menstrual Health, and Shared Experiences in Angola

 

Sewing Change, Sustaining Health

Welcome to our page! My name is Sofonie Dala, founder of this initiative. We are proud to run a women’s program where Angolan women learn to sew reusable menstrual pads. This project not only empowers women with practical skills but also promotes sustainable solutions for menstrual health.

Sewing Experience

During one of our training sessions, Dona Maria and her niece—who experiences menstruation for just one day—had a wonderful time using the electric sewing machine.

• “Carefully press this button, and the machine will start sewing.”

• “Which button is it?”

• “Yes, that one. Now lower it slowly.”

• “Wow! Did you enjoy the experience?”

• “Yes, I did. My hands are trembling!”

It was a moment of joy and discovery.

Empowering Angolan Women Through Sewing and Menstrual Health Education

Gift Exchange

Later, they received a kit of reusable menstrual pads.

• “Did you like the gift?”

• “Yes, we loved it! It’s beautiful, we are so happy. I’ve never had anything like this before—I’m speechless.”

Conversation on Menstrual Health

We also talked about menstrual cycles. Her niece shared:

• “My period only lasts one day. I don’t know if this is good or bad—maybe a health professional could explain it better.”

• Age: 21 years old

• First menstruation: at 15

• Since then, her cycle has always lasted just one day

• She already has a healthy baby, born when she was 20, with no complications during pregnancy or childbirth

• Currently studying in the 12th grade

Her mother added:

• “I loved the sewing machine, my niece. It’s very beautiful, and I enjoyed the experience here in your space.”

Health Note

Menstruation lasting only one day can sometimes be normal, especially in the early years after menarche. It may be influenced by hormonal changes, stress, or contraceptive use. However, if this pattern continues or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to consult a gynecologist to rule out underlying health issues.

What Does It Mean If Your Period Lasts Only One Day?

If your menstrual period lasts only one day, there can be several possible explanations:

• Normal Variation: For some women, a shorter period may simply be part of their natural cycle. Occasional one‑day periods can occur without any underlying health concern.
• Hormonal Imbalances: Changes in estrogen and progesterone—the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle—can lead to shorter periods. This may be linked to thyroid disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or irregular ovulation.
• Contraceptives: Hormonal birth control methods such as pills, injections, or implants often thin the uterine lining, resulting in lighter and shorter periods.
• Stress: High levels of stress can temporarily disrupt hormone balance and menstrual cycles, sometimes causing shorter or irregular periods. Once stress is managed, cycles usually return to normal.
• Endometriosis: In some cases, endometriosis—where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus—can interfere with menstrual flow and cause shorter periods.
• Postpartum or Post‑Abortion Changes: After childbirth or abortion, hormonal adjustments may lead to lighter, shorter periods until the body stabilizes.
• Underlying Medical Conditions: Disorders such as thyroid disease, diabetes, or uterine abnormalities can also affect menstrual patterns and contribute to shorter cycles.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If short periods occur repeatedly over several cycles, or if they are accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, unusual bleeding, or long delays between periods, it is important to consult a gynecologist. A doctor may recommend tests—such as hormone evaluations or an ultrasound—to identify the cause and provide appropriate treatment if needed.

🌍 Connection to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This topic links directly to several SDGs, highlighting why menstrual health matters globally:

SDG	How It Connects
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well‑Being	Promotes awareness of reproductive health and encourages medical consultation when menstrual cycles are irregular.
SDG 4 – Quality Education	Menstrual health education helps young women stay in school and learn about their bodies without stigma.
SDG 5 – Gender Equality	Empowering women with knowledge and access to reusable menstrual products reduces inequality and supports dignity.
SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation	Safe menstrual hygiene practices depend on access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production	Reusable menstrual pads reduce waste and promote sustainable consumption.

Sustainable Cycles for Sustainable Lives

 

The Ladies Without Plastic Project Transforming Menstrual Health and Reducing Waste Across Communities

Greetings, everyone,

It is a pleasure to share the impact of the Ladies Without Plastic – Reusable Menstrual Products Project, led by Sofonie Dala. This initiative continues to grow, empowering women and girls with sustainable menstrual solutions while raising awareness about health, dignity, and environmental protection.

Across both urban centers and remote communities, countless women and girls are benefiting from reusable pads that reduce waste, save money, and support long-term wellbeing. Many feel truly fortunate to meet Sofonie on their paths—receiving reusable pads directly in their hands, along with on-site training and awareness sessions that build confidence and knowledge.

Schoolgirls have welcomed the program with enthusiasm, and many even volunteer to become campaign ambassadorswithin their schools. Their leadership is helping spread awareness, reduce stigma, and inspire others to adopt eco-friendly menstrual practices.

This project strongly supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: promoting hygienic and safe menstrual practices.

• SDG 4 – Quality Education: keeping girls in school by reducing period-related absenteeism.

• SDG 5 – Gender Equality: empowering girls and women with knowledge, dignity, and choice.

• SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: encouraging safe and sustainable menstrual hygiene.

• SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: reducing single-use plastics and waste.

• SDG 13 – Climate Action: lowering environmental impact through reusable menstrual products.

  
  
  

  
  

By reducing dependence on disposable pads—often made with plastics—this project significantly helps lower carbon footprints and decrease pollution. Every reusable pad distributed is a step toward a cleaner planet and a more sustainable future for girls and women everywhere.

Together, we are proving that menstrual health, environmental action, and women’s empowerment go hand in hand.

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🌍 Story: A Movement for Dignity, Education, and Sustainability — The Story of Ladies Without Plastic

 

A Mission Born from Necessity

In the capital of Angola, a powerful movement is growing—one that weaves together dignity, education, environmental responsibility, and women's empowerment. 

At the end of 2021, Sofonie Dala, visionary CEO of the global startup Talentos Múltiplus, launched a revolutionary initiative called Ladies Without Plastic—a reusable menstrual pad model designed to fight period poverty, reduce carbon footprints, and ensure no woman or girl is left behind due to a natural biological process.

This innovation is more than a product—it’s a symbol of freedom, especially for girls and women who are often excluded from school, work, or public life because they cannot access safe, affordable, and sustainable menstrual hygiene solutions.

Breaking Taboos and Building Futures

For the first time in Angola, a reusable menstrual pad became a household name. Women of all ages—teenagers, young adults, adults, middle-aged, and even elderly women—have been welcomed at the Talentos Múltiplus headquarters for tea and transformative training sessions on sustainable menstruation led by the founder herself. These moments offer more than just education—they offer community, dignity, and hope.

At the end of every session, each woman leaves with a free kit of reusable pads generously provided by Yorkits, a UK-based organization devoted to menstrual health and education. But Talentos doesn’t stop there. For Angola’s most vulnerable—those in rural and remote regions—the CEO herself travels to reach them, determined that geography should not determine access to dignity.

Recognition and Growth on a Global Stage

In 2022, Talentos’ work was recognized with its first international award of $1,000, signaling global acknowledgment of its local impact. Since then, the team has worked tirelessly to build partnerships with organizations in developed countries, seeking shared vision and long-term collaboration.

By 2024, Sofonie Dala had earned a prestigious scholarship in the UK, and in 2025, she officially joined the Yorkits team, bringing the movement full circle. With their help, Talentos has been able to scale distribution in Angola and expand awareness efforts, making real, measurable impacts in women’s health, environmental protection, and gender equality.

A New Kind of Celebration: 5 Years of Talentos & Africa Educates Her

This year marks the fifth anniversary of Talentos Múltiplus and the Africa Educates Her Campaign. But instead of a party, Talentos is celebrating through action—by observing, monitoring, and listening to the realities on the ground. The findings are alarming.

Across municipalities, the story is hauntingly the same: thousands of girls and children are out of school, often because they lack a national ID or because their families cannot afford to support them. In countless communities, you don’t need formal research—a simple conversation reveals a systemic crisis: no education, no money, no documentation.

This reality highlights the urgent need for the Angolan government to develop national strategies, enforce registration policies, and launch mass awareness campaigns that make it mandatory—and easy—for citizens to obtain their national identification documents. No child should be illiterate because of bureaucratic failure or parental negligence.

Conclusion 

Leaving No One Behind

The story of Ladies Without Plastic is not just about menstrual pads—it’s about sustainable development, equality, and human rights. It embodies the core of the UN Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 1: No Poverty – Fighting period poverty directly improves access to education and opportunity.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Ensuring menstrual hygiene promotes physical and mental health.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – Removing menstrual barriers and ID obstacles allows girls to stay in school.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – Empowering girls and women to manage their health with dignity.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Reaching remote and vulnerable populations ensures inclusivity.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Promoting reusable products significantly reduces environmental waste.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Advocating for universal access to national ID for all citizens.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaborating globally, from Angola to the UK, for sustainable impact.

Talentos Múltiplus is not just imagining a better future for women and girls—it is building it, one reusable pad, one training, one girl at a time. Together, we rise to ensure no girl is left behind, not because of her gender, her poverty, or her geography.

Let this be a call to governments, organizations, and individuals across the globe: dignity is not a privilege—it’s a right.

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