The past few weeks we have been conducting numerous interviews to learn more about the Champions’ experiences with BanaPads.
One thing I have found extremely interesting from information gathered during our interviews is that being a Champion is more than a saleswomen of pads, there is a large component of menstruation education involved in the job. The education can span from informing a new customer more about menstruation and health tips to consulting parents about menstruation so they provide their daughters with pads or holding education sessions at local schools for the girls. All of these situations go beyond and above the use of a pad.
Champion Annet making a sale of pads to a women
For instance, in many of our interviews the Champions explain detailed stories of where a girl has come to them for pads, but said their parents will not pay for the product. Therefore the Champion has talked to the girl’s parents and explained the importance of using a pad instead of rags or cloth for sanitation and health reasons. Then in many instances the champion will have a family discussion with the girl and her parents or just her mother about menstruation, sanitation, and female health. A simple sale of a product leads to teaching families about menstruation health. This also happens in reverse when a mother will ask a Champion to talk to her daughter about her period because the mother does not feel comfortable or does not have all the information. These valued discussions do not only provide a girl with pads but it also opens the discussion about menstruation health, which is not commonly talked about.
New Champions in Rakai after training
Additionally this past week in Mpigi, 9 of champions wanted to hold an education workshop for girls at the secondary and primary school near by. During the sessions the girls were briefed about menstruation in general, how to use a pad, proper sanitation during your period, and how to ask your parents for pads. It is also open for girls to ask any questions, which many asked about STDs, sex, and pregnancy. Therefore a menstruation workshop also provides a safe, open space for girls to ask their desired questions not only about their periods, but other important sexual health questions because HIV and teen pregnancy are two common, major issues currently in Uganda. Towards the end of the session at the primary school, one girl asked: “Does the white girl and whites menstruate too?” So I stood up in front of the 40 girls with a smile on my face in amusement of the question, and responded, “Yes I menstruate, all women do.” It was very interesting to watch the workshops.
So a champion is not just a saleswomen and BanaPads is not just a product. But that is what separates a social enterprise from other companies. Not only are they delivering a needed product, but more importantly BanaPads is providing the education behind the product and creating discussions about menstruation and sexual health.
After a month at BanaPads, I can see that mission is much is deeper than providing eco-friendly, affordable pads and it even goes further than providing jobs for local women. All of those components are essential to the business of BanaPads, but the education aspect separates and defines BanaPads.
