Childhood friends and neighbors Nathalie, 14, and Aimerance, 13, share more than just a bond of friendship.
When Aimerance experienced her first period, her mother taught her to use a piece of cloth to manage it. Still, she didn’t fully understand what was happening to her body.
To support girls like them affected by conflict in Minova, DR Congo, UNICEF and its partners have provided over 2,000 hygiene kits to adolescent girls.
“This kit helps us stay clean and prevent infections. Now, I feel more confident going to school, even during my period,” says Aimerance.
“It’s easier when you are not alone. We share experiences, encourage each other, and we are no longer scared of missing school when our periods come,” she adds.
For girls like Nathalie and Aimerance, continuing their education, feeling safe, and having the support they require is possible only if the environment is at peace. Without this, their health and future will remain under threat.
