Imagine having to navigate through your village, whenever you feel a slight dampness in your private parts, searching for an adult woman—someone you trust enough to turn your back to. With a quick glance, she will determine if your clothes bear the tell-tale sign of menstrual blood, a stain that could lead to embarrassment, whispers, and stigma. This is the reality for visually impaired Julia Qaphai, almost every month. 

One of the most challenging aspects of her life is managing her menstrual cycle. Without the ability to see, Julia has to rely on her other senses and the help of others to determine when she is menstruating. This involves the deeply personal and often embarrassing task of either inserting her finger to smell for blood or seeking out a woman in her village to check if she has blotted on her clothing.

Living in Mphaki, a remote village in the Quthing district, Julia has had to develop unique ways to navigate everyday tasks that most people take for granted. After losing her sight at 21, she has spent nearly half her life adapting to this new reality, now at 45 years old. 

For her, access to sanitary products is already limited, her blindness adds another layer of difficulty. Without the means to consistently purchase sanitary pads, she often relies on using a cloth during her menstrual cycle. But the process is fraught with uncertainty. “Most of the time, I am not sure whether the cloth is properly washed because I cannot see,” she shares, her voice tinged with a mix of resignation and worry. This uncertainty not only impacts her health but also her dignity, as she navigates the discomfort of potentially using unclean materials.

For Julia, the challenges of her condition extend beyond the physical. Like many women her age, she dreams of companionship and motherhood. “Actually, I need to have children so that I could have someone to help me,” she admits. The desire for a male partner and children is not just about fulfilling a personal longing—it is also about survival and support. Motherhood, for Julia, would bring not only the joy of raising a child but also the practical help that her circumstances demand.

She also faces significant social stigma. Despite her resilience and independence—she survives by selling homemade beer, making around M300 (around 17 dollars) on a good day —She is often the target of negative comments from her community. “When I leave the house to go to the clinic, or to the shop or wherever, people ask why I am leaving the house, why I don’t stay indoors since I am virtual impaired, making me feel judged simply for living my life.”

Julia’s story sheds light on the widespread issue of menstrual poverty faced by women and girls in many parts of Lesotho.

 In response to these challenges, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, has been instrumental in supporting vulnerable individuals who menstruate through various initiatives. These efforts include the provision of safe sanitation facilities and dignity kits, which contain essentials such as soap, menstrual supplies, and underwear. Recently, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, UNFPA organized a community dialogue on menstrual health in Mphaki. This event focused on addressing the negative gender and cultural norms that exacerbate the difficulties associated with menstrual poverty.

During the event, UNFPA Representative to Lesotho, Mr. Innocent Modisaotsile, emphasized the importance of initiatives that promote menstrual health care for all who menstruate, ensuring they can manage their periods with dignity.

The Representative highlighted a concerning trend identified through studies: a high rate of absenteeism among school girls during their menstrual periods. “On average, they lose three to four days per month because of menstrual poverty—not having sanitary pads for use,” he explained. This issue not only affects their education but also perpetuates cycles of inequality and poverty.

He reiterated UNFPA’s commitment to ensuring universal access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), including menstrual health and appealed to all to actively contribute towards raising awareness, increasing access to sanitary pads, promoting health and hygiene, and breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation.

“I implore all of you to be Ambassadors for promoting menstrual health—for a period-friendly world so that women and girls can enjoy being on their monthly periods,” he emphasized.

During the community dialogue, the voices of young girls echoed a common plea: the need for accurate information and support on menstrual health. Many shared their fears of seeking guidance from the wrong sources and the risks associated with using unhealthy materials that could jeopardize their health. 

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Public Health Nurse Ms. ‘Mateboho Khoarai Mothupi underscored the vital importance of maintaining good hygiene during menstruation. She highlighted that proper menstrual hygiene is not only essential for the physical well-being of women and girls but also crucial for their dignity and confidence. Ms. Mothupi stressed that access to accurate information and appropriate sanitary products can empower women and girls to manage their menstrual health safely and effectively. She emphasized that, particularly in times of crisis, ensuring menstrual hygiene is fundamental to protecting the health and rights of women and girls.

In an encouraging turn, some boys in the community made pledges to support their sisters during menstruation. They committed to buying sanitary pads for them and, just as importantly, to never laugh at them if they experienced a visible stain on their clothing. 

Parents also played a key role in the dialogue, with many committing to providing their children with the necessary information to dispel harmful myths. They recognized the importance of supporting young people, including those who identify as LGBTQI, to reduce the stigma they face. 

At the occasion, UNFPA distributed nearly close to 200 Dignity Kits to young women and girls, ensuring they could maintain proper hygiene—a critical component of UNFPA's humanitarian response. Lesotho is currently grappling with a food insecurity crisis, which has prompted Honourable Prime Minister Sam Matekane to declare a national food insecurity disaster lasting from July 2024 to March 2025. Such crises increase the vulnerability of women and girls, potentially exposing them to risky behaviours that can lead to unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sometimes even maternal deaths.

The community dialogue at Mphaki served as a vital step towards addressing the broader issues that Julia and many others face. By focusing on menstrual health and challenging the cultural norms that hinder progress, UNFPA aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment where all women and girls, regardless of their circumstances, can live with dignity and achieve their full potential.