REMEMBERING|| Ladies Without Plastic - Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Webisode 13

 Our Africa Educates her Campaign season 5 is on going. 

Green Menstruation - Day 13

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, 

Welcome to our environmental challenge Women Without Plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints! 

This initiative will help limit the ecological damage caused by disposable pads being thrown into rivers and on the streets in rural areas where there is no municipal trash collection.

Our guests for today are mothers who prefer to use washable pads. Please meet Suzana and Isabel.

Interview with Suzana

Hi, which of these two pads do you prefer?

I prefer this one, made of cloth.

Why?

Because I'm allergic and that disposable pad causes me an infection. But as I am already used to the normal washable pad, I feel more comfortable with this.

In addition, the disposable absorbent contains many chemicals, these chemicals could cause different reactions to each user depending on the person's blood.

Some people react well and feel comfortable using disposable pads, with other people it happens the opposite.

I recommend women to use the washable pad, because we grew up using reusable pads.

Very well said. In addition to what you said, these waste menstrual products also cause ecological damage to our planet such as global warming.

Interview with Isabel

Madam Isabel good evening!

Good evening thanks.

Can you tell us which of these pads you prefer?

I prefer to use this fabric one.

Why?

Because with this fabric I feel more comfortable.

Have you ever used this disposable absorbent?

this one I don't use. I don't like it.

Don't you like this?

No.

OK. Thanks

We have underprivileged girls and young women are struggling with their menstruation cycles. Many are too poor to afford hygiene products each month. There is also the environmental factor of non-reusable pads being thrown into the rivers and land.

Reusable pads will have a long operational use, therefore it will cut down on discarded disposable pads as non-recyclable, and hazardous, waste in the community. Moreover, It will have a cost-saving effect for local young women and girls by eliminating the monthly expense of sanitary pads and tampons. 

REMEMBERING|| Ladies without plastic - Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Webisode 12

 WEBISODES FROM 05/12/2021

Women without plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints 👣 

Greetings for the day! 

Welcome to day 12 of our Green Menstruation Challenge!

Because of women’s relationship with the environment, they can be critical agents of environmental conservation, sustainable development and adaptation to climate change.

Our guest for today is a 25-years-old Isabel-Branca, she is willing to accept the challenge of changing from disposable to reusable products for the sake of the environment.

Disposable pads and tampons create a lot of waste that goes to the landfill. Much of it is non-biodegradable. They also create pollution of the land and water from the cotton growing process, as well as the manufacturing process.

Organics are slightly better, in that they don’t pollute the environment. However, there is still the waste problem to consider.

Is there a better solution than just going organic? The good news is that there is—consider making the switch to reusable feminine hygiene products. By reusables, I mean a menstrual cup, reusable cloth menstrual pad, or a pair of period panties. Here’s a bit of information about each of these eco-friendly period solutions.

As women’s participation in environmental management has increased, they have become more visible. By enrolling women and their communities as partners, we will increase community awareness of sustainable practices while supporting traditional knowledge. Workshops on how to dispose of plastic responsibly, use solar cookers, use reusable menstrual pads, improve management of water resources, including rain water harvesting, and other good practices that are kinder to the environment enhance the quality of rural life.

Interesting links about Isabel: https://sofoniedala.blogspot.com/2021/01/africa-educates-her-campaign-angola_4.html

https://sofoniedala.blogspot.com/2020/12/corona-voice-angola-tok-show-with_29.html

REMEMBERING|| Ladies Without Plastic - Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Webisode 11

  WEBISODE FROM 03/12/2021

Our Africa Educates her Campaign season 5 is on going 

Green Menstruation - Day 11

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, 

Welcome to show eleventh of our environmental challenge Women Without Plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints! 

The influence that parenting styles can have on a child's identity and emotional stability can be positive, negative or a combination. Educating parents about more sustainable period products is important, as it encourages both parent and child to seek reusable options.

Our guest for today is Viviane, she will tell us about who inspires her to do the things she does.

Good afternoon lady!

Good afternoon.

What is your name?

My name is Viviane.

How old are you?

I am 13 years old.

Which of these pads do you use?

I use the disposable pad.

Why do you prefer this one?

Because my mom tells me to wear this one.

Do you use this just because your mother says?

Yes.

Have you ever used the washable pad?

No, I never used it.

Did you know that this disposable absorbent is harmful to the environment? “There’s a huge carbon footprint that goes into making these products, and then they get thrown on the ground When wrapped in plastic bags, feminine hygiene waste can take centuries to biodegrade.

No. I didn't know about this.

For these reasons,  we recommend using cloth absorbents, as they are more sustainable and economical, and they are affordable.

OK.

So will you start using the reusable pad one day?

Yes, I will try it.

It’s time to #DitchDisposables and refuse everyday products which cannot be reused! 

Swap single use items for reusable alternatives. If the current trend continues there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050! We mean, instead of using disposable pads and tampons that are discarded after just one use, consider using reusable products instead.

REMEMBERING|| Ladies without plastic - Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Day 10

 WEBISODE FROM 02/12/2021

Ladies without plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints 👣 

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, 

Welcome to tenth day of our environmental challenge Women Without Plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints! 

Amenorrhea is when a girl’s menstrual bleeding (period) doesn’t occur. Primary amenorrhea is when the first menstrual bleeding at puberty doesn’t occur by age 15. Delayed puberty in girls occurs when breasts don't develop by age 13 or menstrual periods do not begin by age 16.

Although most girls get their first period when they're around 12, our today's guests have already reached 14 years of age and are still not menstruating.~

 Interview with Georgina

Good afternoon young lady!

Good afternoon.

What is your name?

My name is Georgina.

How old are you?

I'm 14 years old.

Which of these pads do you use?

None of them.

Why?

Because I'm not menstruating yet.

Oh, haven't you started menstruating yet?

Not yet.

Is this normal to happen in your family?

Yes.

How old do girls start menstruating in your family?

With 16 years of age.

Who started menstruating at the age of 16 in your family?

My mother and my sisters.

Is this natural to happen in your family? Have you ever consulted a doctor to find out why you have late menstruation?

No, we didn't consult the doctor.

If your mom didn’t get their period until they were 15 or older, chances are that being a late bloomer runs in your family. That may especially be true if your aunts, grandmothers, and cousins also started menstruating only after they were well into high school. 

 Girls usually start their periods between 10 and 16 years of age. Most girls get their first period when they're around 12. It’s a sign that your body is maturing, so that one day, if you want to, you should be able to have a baby.

Interview with Vilcya

~

Hey, good afternoon!

Good afternoon!

What is your name?

My name is Vilcya.

Vicya how old are you?

I'm 14 years old.

Okay, can you tell us which of these pads you use?

Well, I don't use any.

Why?

Because I haven't started menstruating yet.

oh, 14 years old, and still not menstruating?

Yes it's true.

Are these cases common in your family?

Yes.

At what age do women usually start menstruating in your family?

Women in my family start menstruating at the age of 17.

Seriously?

Yes Yes,

OK thanks.

How does climate affect your menstrual cycle?

While climate change does not directly affect your period, it results in a lot of other changes that can throw your cycle off-balance: changes in your food habits, differences in your exercise patterns, increased levels of stress. Moreover, many factors that affect the timing menarche in girls could be affected by climate change.

Research from climatology was incorporated to describe how climate change events, including increased hurricanes, avalanches/mudslides/landslides, and extreme weather events could alter the age of menarche by disrupting food availability or via increased toxin/pollutant release. These perturbations in the timing of menarche are likely to increase the disease burden for women in four key areas: mental health, fertility-related conditions, cardiovascular disease, and bone health. In summary, the climate does have the potential to impact women’s health through perturbation in the timing of menarche and this, in turn, will affect women’s risk of disease in future.

REMEMBERING|| Ladies without plastic - Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Day 9

 WEBISODE FROM 01/12/2021

Women without plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints 👣 

Greetings for the day! 

Welcome to the ninth day of the Green Menstruation Challenge!

In the long run, a lack of education can have several devastating impacts on a girl's life, including the possibility of child marriage, early pregnancy and vulnerability to violence and abuse. 

Our program is supporting communities around the world with a life-changing skill and helping to protect the environment at the same time.

Today we have Marcelina, she has been participating actively in many of our shows, and now she is going to share with us about her  hygiene preferences.

Hello!

Hi. 

Please tell us which of these pads do you use?

I use this disposable pad. 

Can you tell why?

Well, I use this to protect myself. Furthermore, once I have used this pad, I can easily throw it away. 

Why is the cloth absorbent not your preference? 

Simply because I don't like to wash.

Safe, affordable menstrual products are essential for anyone who menstruates. But around the world, millions of women, girls and people who menstruate can’t afford to buy or don’t have reliable access to the safe menstrual products they need.

The use of conventional, disposable menstrual products is harming the environment. Most sanitary pads contain up to 90% plastic, while tampons have plastic applicators and sometimes come in individual plastic wrappers. The production of plastic and improper disposal of these products is causing pollution and filling up landfills.

Period poverty, including the stigma that often surrounds menstruation, stops many people from going to school or work, leading them to miss out on their education or vital income to support themselves and their families.

Special song from Marcia

Hello, my name is Marcia, since we are experiencing difficult moments in this pandemic, I will sing a song that has always comforted me.

Jesus died on the cross for me

Jesus died on the cross for me

he was falling and getting up, 

broken he was, 

abandoned by death

even so, he still said Father forgive them 

because they don't know what they do

Click here to watch free the entire program: 

https://sofoniedala.blogspot.com/2021/02/remembering-last-day-of-africa-educates.html?m=1

 CORONA VOICE . THE TOK SHOW WITH SOFONIE DALA 

As the pandemic has pressed on, people have found innovative ways to come together. There have been dances of gratitude, dances with masks, dances that connect, as a way of encouraging people to dance their blues away.

Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you our dancer Marcelina!

                                 

Hello everyone! My name is Marcelina. I have not been studying since May 1, 2020 because of  the covid-19, but this does not stop me from dancing.

How are you all making work under lockdown and what concerns has this crisis raised for you? 

Lockdown has given us permission to reimagine what making art might look like.

CLICK HERE TO FIND MORE ABOUT MARCIA: https://sofoniedala.blogspot.com/2021/01/corona-voice-angola-tok-show-with_27.html?m=1

REMEMBERING|| Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Day 8

 WEBISODE FROM 30 NOV 2021

Our Africa Educates her Campaign season 5 is on going 

Green Menstruation - Webisode 8

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, 

Welcome to the eighth  day of our environmental challenge Women Without Plastic - Key to reduce our carbon footprints! 

Girls’ education can strengthen climate strategies in three ways: by empowering girls and advancing her reproductive health and rights, fostering girls’ climate leadership and pro-environmental decision-making, and developing girls’ green skills for green jobs.

 

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.

Countries with a lower rate of girls’ education like Angola, also have higher rates of deaths and illness of women and girls in weather-related disasters. In contrast, 
Countries with more women in government also more likely to adopt climate protection policies. Providing girls with green skills enables adaptation to a world impacted by climate change as well as a changing world of work.

REMEMBERING|| Ladies Without Plastic - Green Menstruation. Environmental challenge by Sofonie Dala, Angola. Webisode 7

 WEBISODE FROM 28 NOV 2021

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.

Click here to learn more: https://sofoniedala.blogspot.com/2021/10/key-take-away-from-aoa-for-sustainable.html