QueenPads in collaboration with the Leprosy Mission PNG and supported by the Sir Brian Bell Foundation recently conducted a Menstrual Health and Hygiene Awareness at Kerema Coronation Secondary School– one of the first awareness visits QueenPads has made to Gulf. The QueenPads awareness team consisted of Menstrual Health (MH) Awareness Coordinator, Ms. Dange Barziring; QueenPads Founder Ms. Anne-Shirley Korave. Their work was supported by Kerema Secondary’s administration. More than 130 female students attended the session as well as a female teacher. Barziring explained one of the challenges the team faced during awareness was access to clean water. “A lot of the schools and communities we visited do not have access to water supply.” “Many depend on well/tank water, and this can pose a risk when it comes to hygiene practices in relation to women and girls special days.” Apart from Kerema Secondary, the team also visited Sikalau Primary School and the communities of Ovorio and Lulutera. Barziring stated that when visiting schools, the female students received knowledge on the subject quite well. “They were initially reserved especially with the primary school students but otherwise they received the information with great participation.” Additionally, Barizing said that if the opportunity arises, QueenPads MH Awareness team hopes to visit again to reach more women and young girls in the province. QueenPads working alongside the Leprosy Mission PNG and Sir Brian Bell Foundation saw a reach of 291+ individuals, 181 being school girls. The awareness team has visited Jiwaka, West Sepik (Vanimo), Eastern Highlands and Milne Bay in this year alone. There are also plans on visiting some schools within NCD and Central province as well as East New Britain. “QueenPads wants to continue to amplify the message that periods are normal and special.” “We aim to continue bringing information on the importance of practicing good menstrual Hygiene; for women and girls and for menstruating individuals to also prioritize their menstrual health.” “QueenPads as part of being inclusive also aims to encourage open menstrual conversations with men and boys as well as women and girls with disability.”