Menstrual Health: So That Young Girls Might Better Prepare

As part of its Inclusive Reproductive Health Initiative, IRHI, the charity, Vessels For Development, V4dev, has embarked on a drive to ensure that young girls, especially those with physical challenges or those living with disabilities, properly handle their menstrual health. Led by V4dev’s Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Ornelia de Vinyle, the charity on Monday, November 13, 2023 organized a sensitization meeting with physically-challenged pupils of PROMHANDICAM Asssociation in the neighbourhood of Mimboman, Yaounde.

Jointly Conceived, Designed
“We are grateful to Vessels For Development with whom we put together the initiative to enable young female pupils of our school to be forewarned five days in advance of the onset of their menstrual periods. This will be through the vibration of an electronic bracelet which will be offered to them. This is praiseworthy and we are grateful for the support of the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA. The menstrual monitoring or tracking device will be of great help to pupils with various disabilities, who often do not know when their menses will come,” Paul Bernard Noah, the General Manager of PROMHANDICAM noted.

Government Support Solicited
“Being warned five days before the onset of the menstrual period will enable pupils, parents and teachers to make the necessary preparations. This is an initiative we would like the government to support,” Noah added. Saying the partnership with Vessels For Development was in line with PROMHANDICAM’s objectives. Such as care, education and the socio-economic integration of people with disabilities and their general wellbeing.

The Problem Before
Explaining why Menstrub was designed, Ornelia de Vinyle said they noticed that young girls, especially those with disabilities, were somewhat abandoned to themselves as far as their menstrual health was concerned. This was more so as the menstrual period is considered a taboo subject in many Cameroonian societies. As a result, before the coming of their menses, many young girls do not access menstrual products like sanitary pads. And those suffering from menstrual cramps are often sent back home from school.

Advance Notification Helps
“We therefore thought of something that could inform these girls in advance to prepare for the onset of their menses. After consulting with different stakeholders, we finally agreed on the Menstrual Bracelet, Menstrub, which informs the person wearing it five days in advance of the coming of her menses. An Artificial Intelligence algorithm calculates the menstrual cycle and predicts it days before menses actually start,” Ornelia said.

Curbing School Absenteeism
“The device reduces the rate of school absenteeism as a result of menstrual cramps. Girls who suddenly found themselves menstruating unprepared while in school before now had to quickly rush home. And therefore miss classes. Menstrub will enable these girls to take pain killers and get their menstrual products set,” she pointed out.

Girls Take Control
“Menstrub reforms the menstrual health care of young girls. This is because children with some impairments rely completely on their parents to take charge of their menstrual health. But with the advent of the electronic device, little girls will be able to do it themselves. Though it was designed specifically for young girls with disabilities, it is still useful to all girls,” de Vinyle underscored.

Free For 100 Girls                    
For the first phase of the project, Vessels For Development will distribute Menstrub for free. With the support of the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, GDI Hub and the Global Network of Young Persons with Disabilities, GNYWPD. Thanks to these partners, V4dev consulted 200 people with disabilities, out of whom 100 from the Centre, Littoral, South West and North West Region will receive free menstrual cycle tracking bracelets and menstrual kits. “As from the next production, we will sell the kit at less than 5,000 FCFA to enable every young girl to own it. Menstrub will be available in the next two weeks because the miniature components are not available locally. It can then be acquired by contacting Vessels For Development,” Ornelia disclosed.

V4dev As One Of The Winners
Vessels For Development was one of the four winners worldwide of the Access Ability Innovation Challenge which was launched by UNFPA international headquarters in partnership with GDI Hub and the Global Network of Young Persons with Disability. It has been receiving support in the past five months.

45,000 US Dollar-Funding
“We received 45,000 US Dollars. This has been invested in organizing workshops, consulting parents of beneficiaries on the design of the menstrual cycle tracking device. We have set a target of at least 1,000 girls all over the country to acquire Menstrub in the coming years. We appeal to government to adopt Menstrub which is inclusive and puts people with disability at the centre of their solution. Menstrub was conceived with them, designed with them and targets them,” said Vessels For Development’s Chief Executive Officer.   

Use Of Artificial Intelligence    
Menstrub is a menstrual health solution that integrates hardware and Artificial Intelligence, AI-powered software to predict and discreetly notify users and their circle of care about the upcoming menstrual cycles. The system aims to provide menstrual cycle predictions and timely reminders, to ensure that necessary accommodations and preparations are made. These include preparing financially, physically, emotionally, accessing menstrual products, and enhancing the distribution of menstrual products to improve menstrual hygiene for young women.

Key Product Features
Menstrub’s key features are menstrual cycle prediction as a cloud-based AI algorithm predicts menstrual cycles based on historical data, offering personalized predictions. It is a wrist-worn hardware device that delivers discreet and non-intrusive vibration notifications to the user, based on their proximity to their menstrual cycle. The notification system sends SMS or WhatsApp alerts to the user's designated circle of care, including guardians and teachers, to inform them about the upcoming menstrual cycle for necessary measures (medicines etc.).
Moreover, Menstrub provides for user and circle of care interaction. As users and their circle of care c...