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.

VIDEO ON DEMAND

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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Ladies Without Plastic - 7 October 2025 — World Cotton Day 2025

 

How Sofonie Dala’s “Ladies Without Plastic” is Empowering Women and Protecting the Planet

 Health, dignity, and sustainability

By Sofonie Dala
7 October 2025 — World Cotton Day

As the world celebrates UN World Cotton Day, I am reminded that cotton is more than just a fabric.
It is the thread that connects livelihoods, dignity, and sustainability.

Cotton sustains 24 million growers — almost half of them women — and benefits more than 100 million families across 80 countries on five continents.
For many rural households in least-developed nations, it is more than a crop: it is a safety net, a source of income, and a path out of poverty.

This year’s theme, “Weaving a Better Future for Cotton,” resonates deeply with our work at Ladies Without Plastic, because it mirrors our own journey: transforming a simple, natural resource into hope, opportunity, and change.

Cotton: The Fabric of Dignity

Behind every cotton garment is a story — a farmer in Mali, a mother in Benin, a young girl in Angola.
For developed economies, cotton is a global commodity.
But for smallholder farmers and rural women, it is a lifeline.

Investing in cotton means investing in economic resilience.
That is why the United Nations and partners such as FAO, WTO, and ITC highlight its role in poverty alleviation, fair trade, and climate-smart agriculture.

Cotton also offers a powerful opportunity to tackle another silent crisis: period poverty.

🌸 Ladies Without Plastic: A Movement of Change

Five years ago, I founded Ladies Without Plastic with one clear vision:
to give women and girls living below the poverty line in Angola dignity, health, and opportunity, while reducing plastic waste.

We started small — distributing cotton-based reusable menstrual pads, running community workshops, and breaking the silence around menstruation.

Today, we are proud to celebrate our 5th anniversary as a movement of resilience, impact, and innovation.

We have served thousands of women and girls — from teenagers to mothers, orphans, pregnant women, nurses, workers, and students — aged 15 to 50+ — all united by a common need: safe, affordable, and eco-friendly menstrual care.

Thanks to our partners like Yorkits (UK), we provide high-quality reusable pads — washable, long-lasting, and beautifully crafted from cotton.
These pads are more than a product; they are a symbol of empowerment, knowledge, and care for the planet.

Voices from the Community

“Wow, thank you so much — I loved it! Please bring more.”
“When will it be launched in the Angolan market and how much will it cost?”
“I never knew about reusable pads… they’re so beautiful.”
“Please give us training.”

 

Such heartfelt feedback fuels our mission.
We see hope in the eyes of every girl who no longer misses school during her period, every woman who gains the skills to sew pads and earn an income, and every mother who can now afford to provide safe menstrual care for her daughters.

 The Environmental Crisis of Disposable Pads

Every year, the world uses 12 billion disposable menstrual products, generating over 245,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

A single disposable pad can take 300–800 years to decompose, and most contain up to 90% plastic, polluting rivers, oceans, and even entering our food chain.

By switching to cotton-based reusable pads, we are not only restoring women’s dignity but also taking urgent action to:

• Reduce plastic pollution

• Cut carbon emissions

• Protect water and land ecosystems

• Promote a circular economy

 Economic Growth & Women’s Empowerment

Market analysis shows that women in Angola are ready to buy reusable pads.
By expanding production and training, we can:

• Create thousands of new jobs for women as pad makers and sellers

• Lower unemployment rates

• Boost local economies and reduce poverty

• Turn a social movement into a sustainable green enterprise

This program aligns directly with the UN Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being

• SDG 4: Quality Education

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

• SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production

• SDG 13: Climate Action

• SDG 14 & 15: Life Below Water & Life on Land

A Nurse’s Perspective

In a special interview, Nurse Dorcas — a passionate advocate for women’s health — highlighted that:

• Some women experience irritation or infections from disposable pads due to synthetic materials and chemicals.

• Reusable cotton pads, when washed and dried properly, are safer, breathable, and eco-friendly.

• While access to water and hygiene facilities remains a challenge in some regions, training and awareness can overcome these barriers.

Her message is clear:

“Reusable pads offer dignity, health, and a sustainable choice for women and the planet.”

🚀 A Call to Donors & Investors

By investing in Ladies Without Plastic, you help us:

• Train and empower more women as pad producers

• Scale up distribution across Angola and beyond

• Reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable cotton industries

• Keep more girls in school and improve community health

Your support transforms cotton into a force for equity, resilience, and climate action.

🌟 Closing Reflection

On this World Cotton Day, we honor the farmers who grow the cotton, the women who sew the pads, the girls who reclaim their education, and the partners who believe in a cleaner, fairer future.

“When we educate a girl, we empower a generation.
When we give her dignity, we change the world.”

Cotton connects us all — and when used wisely, it weaves a future where women thrive, poverty shrinks, and our planet heals.

 About the Author

Sofonie Dala is an engineer-researcher, environmental sustainability advocate, and founder of Ladies Without Plastic, a pioneering initiative tackling period poverty and plastic pollution in Angola and beyond.

Reference

United Nations. (n.d.). World cotton day. Retrieved October 7, 2025, from https://www.un.org/en/observances/cotton-day

Dala, S. (2025, September 13). Story: A Movement for Dignity, Education, and Sustainability — The Story of Ladies Without Plastic. Ladies Without Plastic Blog. Retrieved October 7, 2025, from https://ladies-without-plastic.blogspot.com/2025/09/story-movement-for-dignity-

🌍 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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