Queenpads PNG successfully completed another year of establishing a cost-effective and better solution for menstrual products by selling and distributing reusable pads as well as carrying out awareness to communities, schools, and organizations.
With a number of activities that occurred during the year including the National General Election, Queenpads managed to pull through a tough year.
That’s according to Founder of Queenpads PNG Anne Shirley Korave.
She said despite 2022 being a hectic year, Queenpads managed to reach over their target goal for the year where they reached a total of 10, 441 people with 8% of males and 92% of females.
Ms Korave hopes that for this New Year, her team can also reach more men and young boys with the aim of breaking barriers and to normalize menstrual needs.
“Menstruation is everyone’s business and not just for young women and girls. We must work together in normalizing this in our communities and in our homes.”
In 2022, Queenpads visted a total of 9 provinces across the four regions of the country, visiting 36 schools, 10 communities, and 14 organizations as well as receiving donations to help support the team in their advocacy and also distributions in these respective areas.
For this year’s target, Queenpads aims to reach another 10, 000,
“Moving forward for 2023, we are looking at taking a next step in improving our products. We’re looking at improving what’s already out there in terms of the quality and production.”
As part of improving their products, Queenpads also has an online campaign to help support their business and enhanced collaboration with BSP.
Ms Korave further stated with Sir Brian Bell Foundation being the key delivery partner and CPL Foundation also working in collaboration with Queenpads, she is confident Queenpads is going down the right part as they are receiving as much support as they can.
Apart from this, Korave has outlined a number of challenges faced during their awareness in different provinces due to cultural hindrance.
“Due to our different cultures and taboos, this can cause us to stumble because of the different beliefs and customs. Therefore it is important we advocate but approach people in a way that we feel is best fitting for them to understand especially the male society.”
One main factor as well that Korave stated was language barrier; speaking at the level that people in a village community setting will understand and that goes back to the approach towards them.
Korave said that the team carried out their awareness with a positive mind set and to get the message across.
“The feedback given was generally good and that people responded positively.”
Queenpads will now be focusing on areas they haven’t visited yet across the four regions of the country and hopes for the best in reaching their target goal.