Supporting 350 Female Detainees in Sierra Leone

During our several of our monitoring visits in detention facilities, many of the women and girls we work with have expressed concerns about managing their menstrual hygiene, as many have had to rely on pieces of cloth due to the lack of sanitary products. Such practices have led to discomfort and even infections. To address this, AdvocAid partnered with Uman4Uman, a local organisation dedicated to ending period poverty, for a pilot program.

Through this initiative, 75 women and two girls at the Freetown Correctional Centre and Remand Home, respectively, were trained in Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), with each participant receiving reusable sanitary pads designed to last up to two years. To ensure sustainability, we will conduct follow-up interviews over the next two years to gather feedback and adapt future efforts.

The impact has been profound with participants gaining a new understanding of menstrual hygiene, which will foster a healthier environment at the detention centers. With reusable sanitary pads, they now feel less burdened by the financial and practical challenges of managing their periods. Participants have shared that this training has helped them understand the importance of regular hygiene practices, and some have expressed relief at the new resources, especially as many lack the means to purchase sanitary products.

For example, one woman at the correctional center said, “Some of us used pieces during our menses because we did not have easy access to sanitary pads.” Another commented, “I often developed rashes after menstruation; I didn’t realise changing the cloth twice a day was essential. Thanks to AdvocAid for the training.” Juvenile detainees also voiced their appreciation, with one stating, “This is my first time being trained on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and the reusable sanitary pad is a first for me. I’m so grateful.” The Commanding Officer at the center acknowledged AdvocAid’s support, noting that “the provision of reusable sanitary pads will be of great help to the women.”

It is through the support from donors like you, that we are able to address such a critical need for menstrual hygiene management in a way that brings dignity, education, and a practical solution to a longstanding challenge. Women and girls who once faced monthly obstacles now have a renewed sense of comfort and health, with resources that will last them for two years.

In Sierra Leone, the lack of adequate welfare and health support for incarcerated women and girls exacerbates their struggles, highlighting the urgent need for holistic support services. The deficiencies in medical care and welfare within detention facilities not only affect their physical health but also contribute to psychological distress, reinforcing the necessity for organisations like AdvocAid to step in.

As part of AdvocAid’s holistic support efforts, our social workers regularly visit detention facilities to offer psycho-social and welfare assistance. During one such monitoring visit to the Remand Home, our social worker encountered Sia (not her real name), a young girl who had been experiencing irregular menstruation for months. Sia had reported her condition to the social welfare officers at the facility, but no medical assessment had been conducted. Upon engaging with the social welfare officer, it was revealed that the Remand Home does not have an assigned nurse to provide medical assessments and treatment. The officer explained that medical support was sporadically provided by an external organisation and that the Sierra Leone Police Hospital, which had previously supported the Remand Home, had ceased offering free medical services, citing a need to reserve their medications for their staff and paying patients. This situation had been communicated to the Ministry of Social Welfare, which, in turn, requested the Ministry of Health to include the Remand Home in their medical services plans. However, a response was still pending.

Recognising the urgency of Sia’s situation, AdvocAid took immediate action. Given that health concerns fall within our welfare support mandate, the issue was escalated to AdvocAid’s Executive Director. A letter was promptly sent to the Aberdeen Women’s Centre (AWC), seeking their assistance in providing free medical support. AdvocAid has a history of collaborating with AWC to secure medical care for juvenile girls in detention. Responding positively to our request, the Country Director of AWC agreed to run tests to diagnose the cause of Sia’s irregular menstruation.

Sia, accompanied by two officers and AdvocAid staff, was taken to the AWC. Upon arrival, she was immediately admitted to the laboratory, where a series of tests were conducted. The results, which came out shortly thereafter, indicated that Sia was suffering from a urinary tract infection (UTI). She was promptly provided with free medications to treat the condition.

This intervention highlights the critical role AdvocAid plays in addressing the welfare and health needs of incarcerated women and girls. Through continuous engagement and strategic partnerships, AdvocAid ensures that these individuals receive the necessary support to overcome the challenges posed by inadequate welfare and health services in detention facilities. Our commitment to providing holistic support not only aids in their immediate well-being but also contributes to their overall reintegration into society.