• Chat with Juliet is a platform focused on building, guiding, and supporting teenagers and women through meaningful conversations and empowerment programs. In collaboration with SETI (Society Empowerment for Transformation Initiative). A visit was made to the Female Correctional Centre in Suleja to support and educate the women on menstrual hygiene and proper sanitary care.

2. HIGHLIGHTS

  • During the outreach, over 70 sanitary pads were donated by SETI and distributed to the female inmates. The women were also educated on proper menstrual hygiene, including how to use sanitary pads correctly, maintain personal cleanliness, and dispose of used pads properly to prevent infections and other health challenges. The hygiene session was interactive and impactful, as the women listened attentively and participated actively throughout the discussion.

3. OBSERVATIONS

  • The women were very excited and happy to receive us. They appreciated the visit, the donations, and the hygiene education given to them. Many of them expressed that they learnt better and safer ways of maintaining menstrual hygiene. However, some concerns and challenges were raised during the session regarding menstrual care and hygiene materials available to them. The following questions and concerns were raised: a. Whether itis safe to cut one sanitary pad into two parts and insert it due to lack of enough sanitary pads. b. Lack of pants (underwear) needed to properly hold and use sanitary pads. c. Whether using cotton wool in place of sanitary pads during shortage is hygienic and safe. These concerns showed the urgent need for more support and continuous health education for the women.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS

  • There is a strong need for more sponsors, donors, and organizations to support female inmates with sanitary pads, underwear, and other basic hygiene materials. Continuous awareness and hygiene education programs should also be encouraged to help the women maintain proper health and dignity during menstruation. 5. CONCLUSION The visit to the Female Correctional Centre in Suleja was impactful and enlightening. It provided an opportunity to support, encourage, and educate the women on proper menstrual hygiene while also understanding some of the challenges they face daily. Chatwith Juliet, in collaboration with SETI, remains committed to creating awareness, empowering women and teenagers, and promoting better health and wellbeing in society. More support from individuals and organizations willgo a long way in improving the lives of these women and helping them maintain proper hygiene with dignity.