Why I joined As A Male To End Period Poverty And Menstruation Stigmatization?, By Idris Bilyaminu Ndasadu’Lau

My name is Idris Bilyaminu Ndasadu’Lau, am 22years old based Nigerian social development activist, interested on education, health and community development research. I find sustainable solutions to problem impacting the most vulnerable people development. I am also the Founder of Youth Awareness for Peace and Development (YAPD4Africa), passionate advocate for inclusive quality education for boys and girls in Africa. Most of my work focus on children, women and young people toward creating sustainable positive impact on their lives and communities.

Menstruation matters to me because any form of stigmatizing menstruation is a social abuse and crime. Over millions of women and girls continue to live in period poverty around the world without any support from government to end the problem extremely. It’s unfair the issue that need to be address to support women and girls suffering from menstruation dignity. That’s why in 2019, I started online research studies on health matters and I found out many women and girls need pads but they cannot afford them, which can often lead to girls not attend school and also unhygienic practices.

So in 2020, YAPD4Afica initiated the Rescue A Girl project which aimed to end the stigma and discrimination in women and girls due to menstrual period and also focus to enhance from the grassroot on adequate education, health and gender equality which is a key to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals agenda.

In the same year 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented the project on the International Girl Day week. We outreached to different schools and communities where we positively educated and impacted over 350 women and girls with free sanitary pads.

After our 2020 project report we understand that sanitary pads is not the best solution to end period poverty and financial inequality around the world. We design a sustainable solution strategy to support these women and girls through reusable pads product. Which is very affordable and also help in economic empowerment to product these materials and sell it. While our approach will be sustainable solution to end period poverty and increase available good health hygiene aids for women and girls.

My Effort Towards Community Development, By Idris Bilyaminu Ndasadu’Lau

Just recently in 2021, we decided to push the sustainable solution to reality where we visited and trained almost 1000 women and girls in different marginalized places. While we also raise awareness to improve knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene management especially for local residents and school girls.

This effort was supported by Connected Development in collaboration with ShareYourself Organization from USA. Through this project we build transparency data of impact to ensure our partners and public can see the sustainability of our work. So we can gain more support around the world.

This project target to impact 2000 women and girls just for 2021 goal but it is a life continuation work to ensure we contribute in reduce the high rate of women and girls facing period poverty and lack of MHM knowledge. While we also empower them to become self economic independent and reduce environmental waste causes by sanitary pads.

I will keep push the Rescue A Girl project as a movement to ensure policymakers, government, NGOs and individuals all play their role through take it as a responsibility and commitment to change the polities and mindsets to support this vulnerable living survivors.

The experience I gained throughout this health project is unique, I have traveled to slum places, I met a lot of young house wives and girls which we build confidence, hope and smile on their faces.

Idris Bilyaminu Ndasadu’Lau, Founder of YAPD4Africa, TheirWorld Global Youth Ambassador, Advocate for Good Governance, Peace Campaigner and also International Member of Grassroots Coalition for Environmental and Economic Justice USA. For partnership or support reach me as follow: Instagram: @ActivistNdasadu
Email: bilyaminuidrisndasadulau@gmail.com