The first AfricTivistes Civic Action Prize 2021 was awarded to Djamila Boubacar Sahabi during the 3rd AfricTivistes Summit, last November 12, in Abidjan (Ivory Coast). She was crowned thanks to her project Nissa Pad. This citizen champion from Niger has created a brand of washable sanitary napkins to promote sustainable solutions that contribute to the emancipation of women, and to support young teenage girls to stay in school during their periods.

These washable sanitary napkins are made of certified organic cotton, undyed and unbleached, and are sold at an affordable price. They are 3 times more absorbent than regular disposable pads and tampons for medium to heavy menstrual flow and bladder leakage.

Her project impressed the jury during the award ceremony on the evening of November 12, 2021 at Ivotel Plateau in Abidjan. According to Nnenna Nwakanma of Web Foundation, who was mandated by the jury to explain their choice of Djamila, their decision was based mainly on the relevance and level of innovation of the project. The jury also relied on the track record and community dynamics of the initiative. “The replicability and sustainability of the project was also an element to be taken into account. This is to finally measure the impact and scope of the actions,” said Nnenna Nwakanma. 

The stigma attached to menstruation is the cause of many school dropouts in Africa. According to a report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, one out of every 10 girls in sub-Saharan Africa does not attend school during her menstrual cycle, which can have a real impact on the time they have to spend in school. An article in the BBC talks about a 14-year-old schoolgirl in Kenya who committed suicide after being humiliated in class for having her period and staining her uniform. Therefore, solutions for a better management of menstrual hygiene are to be promoted, hence the relevance of Nissa Pad.

Djamila’s vision is to contribute to the emancipation of women, by accompanying adolescent girls in school to stay in school during their periods. The reduction of waste, the fight against exclusion and the creation of jobs are also central to this project.

This first edition of the AfricTivistes Civic Action Prize is just the beginning of a series of initiatives aimed at empowering young people on the continent to take their destiny into their own hands and commit themselves to the benefit of their communities.

In recent years, young people on the continent, aware of the challenges in terms of democracy, good governance and citizenship, continue to show their determination and commit themselves through community initiatives that bring change.

With this in mind, AfricTivistes, driven by the desire to accompany young people by equipping them and reminding them of their role and place in the construction of citizenship, and true to its mission to intervene directly or indirectly in the various processes of political and social change in Africa, has launched the AfricTivistes Civic Action Prize to reward these citizen champions.

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