As menstrual hygiene advocates push to end period poverty in Cameroon, growing attention is being placed on the often-overlooked experiences of girls and women living with disabilities and those struggling with the psychological effects of menstrual stigma.
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These concerns dominated discussions during the celebration of World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 organised by the Centre for Advocacy in Gender Equality and Action for Development, CAGEAD, in Bamenda on May 28.
Observed annually around the world, World Menstrual Hygiene Day seeks to break taboos surrounding menstruation, promote menstrual health education and advocate for policies that guarantee dignity and equality for women and girls. This year's commemoration was held under the theme "together for a period friendly World" and brought together adolescent girls and young women, boys, government officials, civil society organisations and development partners.
Beyond the usual conversations on access to sanitary products, this year's celebration expanded the debate to include mental health, disability inclusion and the need for more responsive menstrual hygiene management systems.
Speaking during the event, CAGEAD Executive Director Clotilda Andiensa Waah said the organisation's field experience revealed that mental health and disability remain neglected aspects of menstrual hygiene programming.
"We have done a lot of general sensitisation and worked with schools, but we realised that mental health and people living with disabilities are areas that are being neglected," she told Hilltopvoices.
She explained that many girls who experience menstrual accidents in school become victims of ridicule, often suffering emotional trauma that can affect their education and social wellbeing.
"We have seen young girls who withdraw into themselves when they get stained and are laughed at. Some leave school and never come back because of the stigma. Many carry that shame throughout their lives," she said.
The issue resonated throughout the day's activities, including presentations, panel discussions and exchanges between participants.
Earlier, menstrual hygiene ambassador Massanga Marcela framed menstrual health as a human rights issue, reminding participants that women spend approximately 40 years of their lives menstruating.
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She cited provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guaranteeing access to health, education and dignity, arguing that girls are denied these rights when schools lack water, private toilets and proper menstrual facilities.
A presentation by Dr Therese Semimyuy further highlighted the consequences of poor menstrual hygiene management, identifying reproductive tract infections, urinary tract infections, absenteeism, loss of confidence, stigma and discrimination among the key risks.
She stressed that poor menstrual hygiene is not only a health issue but also a social and psychological concern that affects girls' confidence and participation in school and community life.
The challenges facing girls with disabilities emerged during a panel discussion on promoting a period friendly world. Representatives from the Cameroon Baptist Convention, CBC, explained that girls with disabilities face unique barriers, including inaccessible information, inadequate sanitation facilities and limited access to menstrual products.
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"Working with persons living with disabilities already comes with additional challenges because information has to be packaged differently," said Nsono Josephine of CBC.
She noted that many girls with disabilities struggle to understand their menstrual cycles and require adapted learning approaches, while others face difficulties using conventional facilities that do not accommodate their needs.
Panelists described girls with disabilities as experiencing a triple vulnerability due to gender, disability and economic hardship. They called on government institutions, schools and civil society organisations to incorporate disability considerations into programme design, awareness campaigns and infrastructure development.
The discussions also explored the broader challenges of menstrual equity. Participants raised concerns over the high cost of sanitary products, especially in rural communities, and advocated for stronger policies to improve affordability and access.
Habiba Hodi, one of the winners of the Menstrual Hygiene Management Creative Competition, spoke about the difficulties girls face in accessing menstrual products and information. She also highlighted the mental strain caused by fear, stigma and lack of preparation before a girl's first menstruation.
Government representatives acknowledged existing efforts through partnerships with development organisations but noted that Cameroon is yet to adopt a standalone policy dedicated to menstrual hygiene management.
The celebration also featured the presentation of findings from a comparative study conducted by CAGEAD in ten schools across Mezam and Donga Mantung Divisions with support from UN Women Cameroon. The study found improved menstrual health knowledge, increased use of dignity kits and reduced absenteeism among girls in intervention schools.
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Participants further celebrated the winners of the second edition of the Menstrual Hygiene Management Creative Competition, which attracted 23 contestants from across Cameroon. The competition used skits, poetry and rap performances to challenge myths and stigma surrounding menstruation.
As the event concluded, stakeholders agreed that creating a period friendly world requires more than distributing sanitary pads. It demands deliberate action to address stigma, support mental wellbeing, improve disability inclusion and ensure that every girl can manage menstruation safely and with dignity.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices web
Tel: +237 694 71 85 77
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