Positive Periods, Girls And Education
Salimatu S Koroma gender desk officer Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU).
After a decade long civil war, Sierra Leone witnessed an
unprecedented surge in school enrolment at both the primary
and then the secondary levels.
Committed to the Education for All objectives, the Government
of Sierra Leone, further encouraged access to school. The main
task included reaching the out of school children and improving
the quality of the learning environment and ultimately the
learning outcomes. The needs of the poor, as well as the
elimination of disparities between urban and rural areas and
between boys and girls attending school was of paramount
importance to all, including the Sierra Leone Teachers Union.
We all know that menstruation can often be challenging for girls.
Girls are very concerned about the problems of leaks, stains and
odour during menstruation. These can have a negative impact
and as such stop them from coming to school when they are
unable to access adequate period products.
Many girls do not have a place to dispose of the readymade
sanitary pads in their school toilets so they devise other
strategies; some flush them or stay at home during their periods.
The Government has established policies protecting girls’ rights
to education, although current education and health policies do
not yet specifically address menstrual hygiene.
Research has shown that the onset of menstruation presents
several challenges. Girls report experiencing stress, shame,
embarrassment, confusion and fear due to a lack of knowledge
and inability to manage menstrual flow or from being teased
by peers. These challenges negatively impact girls’ learning
experiences and result in absenteeism, decreased school
participation and falling behind in courses. Girls face these
challenges due to poor menstruation related knowledge and
insufficient access to menstrual materials.
๏ปฟI must first of all commend the Steve Sinnott Foundation for their initiative to address current deficits in girls’ and adolescents’ menstrual management through the Positive Periods Programme.
The three effective trainings of Home Economics teachers we have conducted have focused on health and education and the making of reusable menstrual pads. In our experience we have found that the quality of modern menstrual pads available in Sierra Leone is not effective because they are not absorbent enough. They cannot absorb the leakage properly. I say this because I have experienced this for many years. I have never used any menstrual pad but modern menstrual pads. I always doubled them before going out to avoid embarrassment or shame in public. The pain and discomfort I experienced during these periods was unbearable.
Reusable pads have a cotton or towel liner that prevents any sticking or overflow. Even though they have no super absorbents, they capture and contain your flow. You feel comfortable when you have them on, and they do not leak. They are safe. Reusable pads are the best for girls and women as well as for the environment.
From Engage issue 20.
SALIMATU S KOROMA • October 20, 2021
Mike Fleetham of Thinking Classroom has written a book " Headlines: Inspiration, humour and advice for school leaders ". A collection of original ideas, advice from professionals, quotes, and tips to support and inspire all leaders. Perfect for new and established leaders working in education, especially headteachers. "Being a headteacher is like looking both ways before you cross the road, and then getting hit by an aeroplane." To Enter the Competition To win a copy of Headlines please share your inspiring education or life lesson in no more than 600 words. The winning article will also be published in our next edition of Engage. Send your words of inspiration to admin@stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk ๐
Deadline: 5th September 2025โ Stuck on Ideas? Here are some questions and prompts to get you started! What’s the one lesson school didn’t teach you, but life did? Think of a moment that changed your path, what happened? What piece of advice has helped you grow the most? When did a challenge turn into an opportunity for you? What story from your life would inspire someone on the other side of the world? What’s the life lesson that unlocked your next chapter? โ Your words could uplift, empower and be seen by many. Let your story inspire the world! ๐๐กโ Good luck and we cant wait to read all the entries!
This week our CEO Ann and Jude (SSF Ambassador) visited schools in Coventry and heard about the wonderful work that students are doing to foster peace and community connection, as part of Coventry Arts Week. We visited Lyng Hall school in the morning and met with Ms Hagan and four of the schools UNESCO ASPnet ambassadors. They told us all about their recent project. The students took their art and poetry to the 80th Anniversary symposium in Ypres and Dunkirk. They shared with us some of the poetry they had written together with the students on the field trip and some of their own poems too. They also shared their future plans for working with their local primary school on peace and community. We also had the privilege of joining Ms Hagans class where they were looking at Caliban’s tale. Here is one of the students work
For my birthday this year I had the honour to walk 60 miles (yes it was a big 0 birthday) over 3 days to support the essential work of the Steve Sinnott Foundation of which I am CEO. Education in its many forms is essential for all of us to thrive and make the most of life's opportunities. The Foundation works to ensure that as many children and adults as possible across the globe can access the human right of education. The plan was to walk with friends and supporters who I hoped would keep me smiling along the way and it felt like a good way to make use of the Foundation’s “Get Moving” campaign. Here's how my Get Moving Fundraiser went on the first day. The 13th June I started my walk in London by walking from Barnet to west Hampstead and visiting my sister at her shop at Tree of Life where I got served a nice iced coffee to keep me going.
