News

Jul 21, 2023

Kiara reusable pad ends menstrual poverty — Guardian Life — The Guardian Nigeria News

Dealing with the high cost of sanitary pads could be challenging given the current situation of the country. About 44 per cent of women and girls are experiencing period poverty as they cannot afford

Dealing with the high cost of sanitary pads could be challenging given the current situation of the country. About 44 per cent of women and girls are experiencing period poverty as they cannot afford N500 to N800 sanitary pads.

Determined to end this, 15 years old Ayomide Akran launched a menstrual product ‘Kiara Reusable Pads’ which is affordable, reliable and eco-friendly.

Speaking during the Kiara collections brand launch in Lagos, the founder of Pink Diva organisation, Ayomide Akran said the organisation is committed to ensuring a better and safer recycling system for Nigerians, providing sustainable reusable pads for young girls with special needs and women living in underserved communities.

She said that the motivation behind the reusable pads was the realisation that sanitary pads are an indispensable necessity for every woman. “Sanitary pads have significant impact on the well-being of girls and women, which is crucial for maintaining personal hygiene,” she said.

She disclosed that her journey on how to improvise the disposable pads began during her primary school days when most of the students lack menstrual hygiene knowledge. “My mother teaches me how to take care of myself during menstrual cycle and I noticed that my friend didn’t have this information needed to take good care of themselves and I decided to start educating them. During secondary school, I noticed again that my mate didn’t have the information and equipment they needed during their menstrual cycle, So, I decided to make something that will help them solve this problem, which must be affordable, reliable and eco-friendly. So, I made an alternative pad that they don’t need to buy all the time, but can be used for at least two years and will still be hygienic.”

Akran urges the government and corporate organisations to come and partner with her foundation to support girl children adding that Kiara reusable pad has a huge advantage as it is pocket friendly, eco-friendly and hygienic. “Kiara reusable pads last for two years, while the regular pad is used just once. The money we get from selling these pads, we use to make more pads and give them out for free to people in underserved communities.”

Facilitator, Education Officer, Aguda Junior Grammar School Surulere, Mrs. Abiola Alabi, noted that the solution to current environmental challenges in the country is to adopt recycling and reusable products, as this will address the issue of climate change and flooding in the country. “If we dispose of our used products in an eco-friendly way, we will all enjoy our environment. Ensure that the bottles and nylon are recycled and you will equally make money from it.”

She commended the Pink Diva Organisation initiative, saying so many young female Nigerians are battling with menstrual poverty and with Kiara Reusable pad their problem is solved. “Some students usually have the challenge of not having a sanitary pad to use when they are on their period and that is one of the reasons I took pleasure in the recycling business. Most of the money I get from recycling, I use to buy sanitary pads for my students because most of the time when my students start their period in school, they come to me and I give the pads to them. Now that I know about Kiara’s reusable sanitary pad, I will introduce it to them,” she said.