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Good Neighbours Canada (GNCA), in partnership with Good Neighbors Cameroon (GNCMR) and with the financial support of Global Affairs Canada, continues to make progress in its commitment to empower women and girls in rural Cameroon through menstrual health and sexual reproductive health education.
In early 2025, Training of Trainers sessions were launched in the rural village of Mehé to address knowledge gaps revealed by a baseline survey. Findings showed that 47% of community members had never heard of menstruation, 90% gave incorrect answers on the origin of menstrual blood, and only 57% knew the normal duration of a period. The lack of knowledge and misinformation fuels fear and stigma, leading to exclusion, poor health, and fewer opportunities for women and girls.
The training program, led by a consultant from the Divisional Delegation of Health in Mora, a local government health authority, has engaged 74 trainers, including women, men, and adolescent girls and boys in the Mehé community. Sessions covered puberty, menstrual hygiene management, family planning, and contraception, while also dispelling myths and taboos. Interactive methods encouraged participants to ask questions and clarify doubts, while the inclusion of men and boys created space for community-wide dialogue.
Equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver training sessions themselves, participants in the program will now begin a peer-led campaign of raising awareness and de-stigmatizing menstrual health throughout the rest of their community. Taking this peer-led approach will encourage widespread local adoption by exemplifying its positive impact on the lives of neighbors and friends, while further empowering women to positions of leadership within their community.
In addition to the targeted training, on Menstrual Hygiene Day in April 2025, over 1,600 people joined awareness activities, with young leaders confidently sharing what they had learned through skits and educational talks. GNCMR will continue organising these events in 2026 and 2027 to embrace open discussion of menstrual health throughout the community.
Houmanie, a resident of Méhé, shared how the training changed her perspective:
“They [Good Neighbors] came to educate us on the importance of family planning, how to live in harmony with our children, husbands, and neighbours, as well as menstrual hygiene… When menstruation occurs for the first time, the mother must reassure her daughter: ‘My child, don’t worry, don’t be upset, this is part of everyday life for women, it’s not a disease.’”
Through the program, Houmanie also learned about contraception methods, puberty changes in both girls and boys, and how women living with HIV/AIDS can give birth to healthy children. She now shares this knowledge with others, helping to normalize conversations around menstrual and reproductive health.
In May 2025, 42 teachers(35 men and 7 women) were trained on menstrual health education, equipping them to create supportive environments where both girls and boys can learn without stigma. Many young girls and women in Mehé had previously lacked guidance before their first period, making this training especially impactful. Further training sessions are scheduled for September and November 2025 to continue this important work.
To date, six training sessions have been conducted, training 74 community members on how menstrual stigma worsens gender inequalities and how families can support girls with dignity and care; they are now equipped to sensitize others in their communities and are actively breaking taboos through creative and inclusive methods
By prioritizing menstrual health education, GNCA and GNCMR are advancing the goals of the Better Life for Girls initiative, creating safe spaces for dialogue, improving access to educational materials, and ensuring women and girls can fully participate in social, cultural, and economic life.
We are grateful to Global Affairs Canada for supporting this initiative and to our partners in Cameroon for their dedication to implementing it.
This program was made possible with the support from Global Affairs Canada
