As the world marks World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025 this May 28, under the theme “together for a period-friendly world,” a wave of voices from Cameroon is echoing the urgent call for menstrual equity, dignity, and awareness especially in underserved communities.
Contestants of the Menstrual hygiene management creative competition ahead of proclamation of results
In Bamenda, Hilltopvoices turns the spotlight to young women participating in a creative competition on menstrual hygiene management, organised to raise awareness and challenge taboos. The initiative by the Center for Advocacy in Gender Equality and Action for Development (CAGEAD) did not only surface raw talent but brought forth lived realities of menstruation in both urban and rural settings.
Laughi Blessing, a nursing student at the University of Bamenda, hails from Mbot village in Donga Mantung Division a place where menstruation is still surrounded by myths and restrictive customs.
“In my community, menstruation is treated like a taboo. When a girl starts her period, she's confined to a room and made to sit on a bucket until it ends. She isn’t allowed to be around men because people believe she’ll fall pregnant just by being close to one. They don’t even talk about ovulation.” Laughi shared.
Now an advocate for menstrual education, Laughi recounts her traumatic experience when her period stopped for three months due to stress. Terrified by the stigma of being presumed pregnant, she kept silent until she found the courage to confide in a nurse in another quarter.
“It was a dark time. I couldn’t tell my mother. I felt ashamed, isolated, and afraid. No girl should go through that.” she recalled tearfully.
Laughi’s wish for this day is loud and clear: “Let awareness reach the villages. Let menstrual hygiene be talked about like any other aspect of health. Let it be safe, free, and stigma-free.”
The campaign also features Ndam Albright Maya, an aspiring biomedical engineer, spoken-word artist, and the winner of the creative competition. Through her slam poetry, she wove together education, rhythm, and truth to claim first place but more importantly, to amplify the unheard.
“I joined the competition because I realised menstrual hygiene is not talked about enough especially among teenagers who need it the most. Winning this means a lot to me. It validates my voice and shows that slam can be a tool for change.” she said
“I will keep using poetry, slams, and public speaking to educate. Periods are natural. Knowing how to manage them is a right, not a privilege,” Maya stated with confidence.
Macela-Bright Masanga a student of Government Bilingual High School Bamenda together with age and school experienced challenges in home and school until CAGEAD launched the Menstrual Hygiene Management project in their school. This work resulted in the renovating toilets to make them period-friendly, providing water, telephone showers, and mirrors for self-checks, creation of Menstrual Hygiene Management clubs, equipping infirmaries with dignity kits containing sanitary pads, detergents, and analgesics and training girls like Marcela as peer educators to lead change in their schools and communities
The results are remarkable. Masanga's grades improved by over three points, allowing her to maintain her position at the top of her class among both girls and boys.
“From the club, I have learned that many girls use rags or even leaves when they do not have pads. But now, no girl in my school is left behind just because of her period.” she says with a smile
Marcela-Bright Masanga has gone on to mentor over 50 girls directly through her school club, with ripple effects across the wider community. This year, she is recognised as a Menstrual Hygiene Management Ambassador a title she wears with pride and purpose.
“They say heavy is the head that wears the crown. But this recognition has ignited a new fire in me. I now know my voice counts in the movement for period dignity.” she said
As global conversations around menstrual health continue, Macela-Bright Masanga's message is both urgent and universal. She calls on communities, government stakeholders, and global partners to break the silence and taboos around menstruation, make menstrual hygiene products tax-free or free of charge, ensure menstrual-friendly infrastructure in all schools and public spaces
“Whether you are young or old, you too can help build a period-friendly world. Join organisations like CAGEAD, spread the message, and push for policies that make menstrual dignity a reality for every girl.” she urges
The narratives of Laughi, Maya and Masanga reveal more than just menstrual stories. They expose the gaps in menstrual health education, the determination of young women, and the untapped power of youth voices in addressing deeply rooted cultural taboos.
They are calling on stakeholders parents, schools, healthcare workers, NGOs, and policymakers to prioritise menstrual hygiene as a public health and human rights issue.
“We don not need pity. We need pads, education, and safe spaces,” Macela-Bright stressed.
“Let CAGEAD and other organisations come back to our communities and I will volunteer to help educate every girl I can.” Laughi added
This year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day may have passed, but for these three young women, the movement has just begun and they are carrying it on their voices, their courage, and their commitment to build a period-friendly world, together.
By Bakah Derick
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
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