With a passion for empowering women and fostering authenticity, Eugenia’s visionary approach creates a safe space where women confront challenges and emerge stronger. As a dynamic advocate, she sparks conversations challenging societal norms and promoting gender equality, shaping a future where African women thrive as leaders and catalysts for progress. Eugenia has establish her herself as a vibrant MC and a voice for the next generation African leaders.
Could you describe your recent research and field study trip to Tanzania? What were some of the most striking observations or experiences you encountered regarding water quality issues affecting women and girls?
My recent research and field study trip to Tanzania was informative and transformative. I embarked on a trip to Tanzania to delve deeper into the water crisis gripping the nation and its impact on women’s menstrual health. My aim was to raise awareness about the severe challenges Tanzanians face because of the inadequate access of water scarcity. Many families do not have access to clean water in their community therefore they (particularly women and girls ) trek long distances to water pumps. They also run the risk of being attacked or raped and most of these women spend a majority of their day traveling to fetch the water. This takes up a lot of time within their schedule which could be used to attend school. Some striking observations is that some communities do not receive water on a regular basis leaving them to resort to rainwater harvesting. In addition, because of the high amounts of fluoride in the water, most of the population are affected with brown and broken teeth. The appearance of their teeth was actually very shocking to me and after speaking with some of the people in the community, they revealed it is because of the quality of the water.
Another issue is that Menstrual Health is a taboo topic in rural Tanzania communities. Many of the women don’t have much knowledge about menstruation or about their bodies. The lack of resources leave them resorting to unsanitary options. The trip further proves that there are unspoken truths and circumstances that people live in, in which the media does not address. The women in the community felt like my little sisters, aunties, and grandmothers. The lack of access hampers menstrual hygiene and leads to serious health issues, including infections and complications, which affects their education, work opportunities, and overall quality of life. This trip increased my desire and passion for community and giving back to Africa. The women I met deserve to live with peace knowing that they can have safe drinking water and peace that they can manage their periods and get the most out of their education and not be hindered. Accessing and using effective and affordable menstrual materials in addition to having supportive facilities and services, including water, sanitation, and hygiene services, for washing the body and hands, as well as changing menstrual materials, and cleaning and/or disposing of used materials. These are basic yet effective starting steps.
In your opinion, what are the primary reasons behind the inadequate access to clean water in Tanzania, particularly in regions most affected by poor water conditions?
In my opinion, the primary reasons behind the inadequate access clean water in Tanzania is due to the lack of access to storing the water in both rural and urban areas. Not many households have access to clean drinking water from a piped source. Climate change can be noted as another reasoning behind the water . shortage. The causes of unclean water is the different activities that occur at the water sources including bathing, laundry, and dish washing. Lots of waste also contaminates the water. Furthermore, because it is what is accessible to the people in the community, they have no choice but to use the contaminated water despite its low quality. Water-borne diseases like schistosomiasis, cholera, and typhoid are affecting the population.
You mentioned the severe health impacts on menstruating women and girls due to inadequate water and sanitation. Could you elaborate on some of the specific health issues you uncovered during your research?
My experience at the Mareu Hospital in Arumeru, Arusha, Tanzania, was where I had a discussion with the head doctor at the facility. This is where I learned of the extremities of the severe health impacts on menstruating women and girls due to the inadequate water and sanitation. The head doctor, Ramadhani Shabani Boi agreed that the water supply is indeed an issue. He broke down the water situation at the hospital and neighboring community. Doctor Boi stated, “Once a week we receive 5000 liters of water. Since one month ago (April), we have not gotten water because of a technical problem with the authority.” He referred to the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), which supplies water in the region. This problem is very concerning because the hospital facility receives 700 people each month and half of the patients are women between the ages of 15-30. Due to the unfortunate fact that most of them can not afford Doctor Boi explained that they resort to using pieces of cloth also known as “kanga” in swahili. He explained that “the negative impact of that is that women get urinary tract infections due to poor hygiene, the usage of cloth instead of pads, and they do not change their pads three times a day.” When I entered the hospital, it was mostly women there and after speaking with them they vulnerably shared how they have been suffering from urinary tract infections. Shockingly, some of the women in the community do not know they are suffering from the infections and may leave it untreated.
Personal narratives are a significant aspect of your proposed story. Can you share any particularly compelling stories or experiences from women and girls you met in Tanzania? How did their stories illustrate the broader challenges they face?
I received the opportunity to have an open conversation with the women in the Mareu community of Tanzania and I visited the King’Ori Secondary School which was the nearby school in the community. Speaking with the assistant headmaster of the school she addressed concerns about the girls at the school. One of the school’s concerns is that inadequate sanitation facilities contribute to lower school attendance and performance among the girls. The young girl’s pain would be so severe that they would miss days out of school. This would ultimately hinder their academic performance and progression. The academic performance for girls in the school is significantly lower than men for a number of reasons but one being the missed days of school because of their menstrual cycles. TThe school is lacking sanitation facilities to assist in the girls proper care of their menstrual cycles. In addition, many of the women can not afford sanitary pads. I asked about the costs of a month’s supply of menstrual products. The teachers of King’Ori Secondary School mentioned it costs $250 per month for all 350 girls, meaning it costs approximately, a shocking 71 cents per girl to provide sanitary products.
What role do you see local communities, NGOs, and international organizations playing in addressing these challenges? Are there any specific initiatives or projects you encountered that are making a positive impact?
The Tanzanian government, in partnership with the World Bank, is aggressively tackling menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) through the Sustainable Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (SRWSSP). The initiative aims to improve access to rural water and sanitation services in participating districts while also strengthening sector institutions’ ability for long-term service delivery.A program in Tanzania is making significant progress in promoting MHH for girls in rural primary schools. The initiative focuses on creating safe and sanitary environments for girls during their periods. This includes constructing or rehabilitating WASH facilities in 837 schools. These improved facilities feature separate latrines for girls and boys, with lockable doors and easy-to-clean floors, ensuring girls’ safety and comfort.Furthermore, the program addresses the specific needs of menstruating girls by building changing rooms with incinerators within the WASH facilities. These dedicated spaces allow girls to manage their periods with privacy and dispose of menstrual products hygienically. Each participating school also benefits from a designated menstrual counselor, who can be a teacher, a female parent, or a community health worker, providing girls with accurate and age-appropriate information about menstruation, menstrual hygiene practices, and related self-care.This program represents a significant step forward in tackling the challenges faced by girls in rural Tanzania who lack access to proper menstrual hygiene facilities and education.In addition, regional programs like Tanzanian NGO Maji Safi Kwa Afya Bora have been essential in advancing sanitation and hygiene standards in rural communities, which has helped to provide long-term solutions to the water crisis. These initiatives demonstrate how crucial it is for local and multinational groups to work together to address difficult global issues.
Looking ahead, do you have plans to continue your advocacy work in Tanzania or explore similar issues in other regions? What are your aspirations for the future in terms of advancing women’s rights and health globally?
After building such a connection with the women in the communities, I do have plans to continue advocacy in Tanzania and to explore similar issues in other regions. God willing, I can assist NGOs who are working tirelessly to help these communities. I hope to help in providing menstrual health education, supplying sanitary pads, and other options to manage menstrual cycles. Long term would be to invest in implementation of sanitary facilities and services in those communities. My aspirations for the future in terms of advancing women’s rights and health globally is by using my media platforms to share the narratives of those who do not have a voice and to also raise awareness on issues news/media outlets are shielding us from. In addition, I plan to further my education in global affairs and foreign policy in order to increase my knowledge in international development and also hopefully one day become a decision maker in the rooms where policies are made. In those rooms, I plan to represent the women whose voices and concerns deserve to be heard. Lastly, traveling to more marginalized and underserved communities around the world is another goal of mine and working with NGOs to give back. God willing, somewhere along this journey I can create an NGO that will focus on women empowerment and the well being of women offering resources and services that will be of great service to them. Tackling period poverty and making sanitary pads more accessible to women in the community. Accessing and using effective and affordable menstrual materials in addition to having supportive facilities and services, including water, sanitation, and hygiene services, for washing the body and hands, as well as changing menstrual materials, and cleaning and/or disposing of used materials. These are basic yet effective starting steps.
