Be Rose Foundation International

Be Rose International Foundation aims to keep more girls in school, and in Nigeria, one of their target countries, this means making sure girls have both the information and products they need to address their menses with dignity.

Be Rose won a Giving Joy award in October 2021 and later that month launched a community event in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The event helped to raise awareness of menstrual hygiene, destigmatize periods, and proper use of reusable pads.

Approximately 35 girls, ages 10-17, participated in the event. Each girl received a customized menstrual hygiene kit with information about menstruation (translated into the local language) and tips how to practice menstrual health and hygiene at home, school and other public places. The kit also included 10 reusable pads, deodorant, soap, a bath sponge, and a wet bag for storage.

Be Rose International Foundation worked with female and male community volunteers to facilitate the event. Male volunteers helped to bring men into the conversation - making fathers more comfortable with and better informed about menstruation.

Rosaline Bangura, Be Rose’s Executive Director, shared that one of the girls stated that her father does not eat her mother’s cooking during her menstruation because she is considered to be unclean during that time. Rosaline added: “There is so much we take for granted in the US but hearing these stories motivates me to raise more awareness among young girls and their parents to not be shamed because of a period.”

We are so proud to be part of Be Rose International Foundation’s journey to promote menstrual hygiene and help women and girls have a dignified and healthy life!