Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon
Issues around sexuality and health are evolving fast and there is need to be updated with the developments and opportunities available for remedy.
At a recent public talk in Buea on the theme; Demystify menstruation and increase productivity amongst rural women, Mrs Veronica Kette, the Coordinator of the organisation African Women Education and Development Partnership Forum, AWEDPF, said menstruation is an integral part of the woman and not a hindrance to her economic empowerment. “Menstruation disturbs women who work in the farms and do petty trading. So, there is a means by which menstruation is not a hindrance. Women should love menstruation and know how to take care of it so that there is increase productivity in their work at home and in the farms,” she mentioned.
The women in Buea, Cameroon followed the discussions on Sexuality and Health with focussed attention
According to Kette, Cameroonian-born but US-based Nurse, menstruation is mystified by men, explaining that menstruation is not a mystery. “It is a natural happening by God. Tradition should not derail or demoralise women. The new technology of moon cup will help women spend more time in their farms and still do their daily chores at home. They will also remain healthy. The moon cups are convenient, cost effective because a cup can be used for ten years and even women who are yet to engage into sexual activities can still use it. The
The Practical Nurse, Veronica Kette(R) explains how the moon cup is used to women in Buea
challenge of hygiene is a worry but that is the focus of our discussions with the women,” she noted.
Kette said women must be motivated to increase their production in whatever they are into, getting to know themselves and realising how beautiful they are. “The female sexual organ is a beauty that God has made. So, women should learn to appreciate their beauty and maintain it, no matter the situation they find themselves in. Women should work while
A family pic to close the one day discussion, while the women also brandish their moon cup received free of charge
they are menstruating and should not be demoralised by men. Every woman has the right to have a healthy and productive life.”
The Nurse said menstruation is a good thing and if there is no menstruation, there is no child bearing.
The moon cup made by the London company, Femme Cup and donated to the Cameroonian society by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation via AWEDPF, has come to dignify women. Kette will add “It is discreet, comfortable, convenient and environmentally friendly. You will not know that a woman is menstruating when she wears her moon cup. It can be discarded only after yen years.”
She mentioned that stereotypes around menstruation and new developments around sexuality will be broken by nonstop education as her organisation is doing. “Since February 2014 we began this campaign in the Northwest Region and now we are in the Southwest Region. So far, we have talked to 4,000 women and we look forward to pursue the crusade. We are educating the women to accept the moon cup. Those who do not listen to us is not a problem. We are teaching them the hygiene of menstruation. If they like the moon cup, we give it to them free of charge. Bill Gates has made them available to us for free. When women would have known that the moon cup is convenient, then we will begin to sell to them,” Kette said.
Immaculate Nkwain found the talk educative, saying the moon cup is a welcome initiative for women who are still menstruating. She expressed glee on learning new developments on sexuality, the importance of revitalising your marital home, the need to have good sex with your husband and wife, being happy with yourself, making your home happy and clean, looking clean all the time and keeping a luring relationship with your husband.
