The Menstru’Elles project was born in Burkina Faso. During a solidarity trip, Inès Belhous realized that young women have very little knowledge about menstrual health. So much so that some believe they are injured when they have their period. This taboo even prevents them from attending school due to a lack of access to menstrual products, toilets, showers, and places that allow them to maintain proper menstrual hygiene.
Inès Belhous and her companions then created awareness workshops, followed by sewing workshops for reusable pads to enable these young girls to continue attending school during their periods.
“We realized that we talked a lot about menstrual poverty in Africa, but that it also exists in France,” explains Inès Belhous. “There, we turned to vulnerable populations: women housed in emergency shelters, victims of domestic violence, refugee women…”
The idea is to offer workshops for sewing washable pads that provide real economic and ecological benefits, but also time for oneself, to step away from daily life, without husbands or children. "These sewing workshops for washable pads are somewhat of a pretext,” says Inès Belhous. “Sewing is more approachable. It’s easier to say that you’re going to a sewing workshop for pads than to say you’re going to discuss menstrual health or sexual health.”
This essential time also helps to enhance psychosocial skills, which is crucial after difficult experiences, allowing individuals to regain pride and self-esteem.
“We try to deconstruct stereotypes around menstruation,” continues the founder of Menstru’Elles. “We present the different types of products available, but we often also talk about contraception, pregnancy, and childbirth experiences.”
The goal is also to inform these women so they can have a better overall health journey. “According to the WHO definition, health is not just the absence of disease; it is overall well-being. And for individuals to achieve this well-being, it is essential that they have the information and resources necessary to access care.”
