6 minute read

Easier days ahead for girls

“Women supporting women” is an important aspect of #embracingequity in the opinion of Mareeba woman Lesa Moro, who has dedicated hours of volunteer time creating reusable period packs for women in lower socioeconomic countries. For International Women’s Day 2023, cadet journalist Ellie Fink spoke to Lesa about Days for Girls and the incredible impact it has had on women who don’t have access to basic sanitary needs.

NO matter who she is and where she may live, a woman deserves her dignity and Lesa Moro has taken the next step to preserve that dignity by helping women gain access to essential sanitary products in disadvantaged countries.

After hearing about the Days for Girls non-for-profit organisation through news media, Lesa was inspired by the cause and knew she had to get involved as an educator and as a woman.

Days for Girls, based in America, was created in 2008 when founder Celeste Mergens visited Africa and realised girls were not going to school whilst they had their period, missing out on a week of their already limited education.

From that experience, Celeste got to work inventing the Days for Girls pack, which includes a 100 per cent cotton reusable pad, soap and a carry pack, and begun sharing her story and creating a volunteer-base across the world.

Being an educator, Lesa is passionate about reserving the dignity of her female students through every part of their menstrual cycle and could not believe young women in developing countries would stay at home in fear of embarrassment from other peers because they were bleeding.

“The girls were staying home from school and because of that they were missing out on their education which was simply not fair – why should a girl have to miss out on school because of the way her body is designed?” Lesa said.

“I am an educator and education is the most important thing that can change a person’s life and I know that if you invest in education in a community of women, particularly in developing countries, it makes a huge impact.”

Reaching out to the local craft shop that was in Mareeba at the time, she was able to secure the off-cuts of fabric and pull together a small group of ladies in the school’s sewing room to begin creating the packs to be sent across the world.

A decade later, Lesa has inspired 50 other local women from all walks of life to help create the Days for Girls period packs, meeting every month with hopes to make a difference to at least one woman’s life.

“We, ironically, get together once a month for our sewing events and at the start there was maybe four or five of us but now, we have up to 50 people here,” Lesa said.

“A lot of the ladies who come to Days for Girls aren’t necessarily sewers – they collect stuff like fabric or help put all our packs into the data base or even just spreading the word.”

Since the beginning of Days for Girls Mareeba, Lesa has helped thousands of women from the Middle East, Papua New Guinea, India, Nepal, Cambodia, and East Timor.

As a part of the program, she has also visited the communities herself to help provide education to the girls about their menstrual cycle, how to use the packs and how to feel safe and dignified during their periods.

She believes these packs and educational talks have made a huge impact on small communities and she hopes those who receive them will feel safer and more secure during menstruation.

“Myself and two other women from the Days for Girls group have done the health training and therefore we are able to deliver the kits we have made and talk to the girls about what is in the kit and about their menstrual cycle – it is really amazing stuff,” she said.

“It is really powerful when you invest in women and give them the education to understand their bodies, their health and we know they pass that knowledge down through generations.”

As well as contributing to Days for Girls, Lesa has taken the next steps to ending the period stigma at Ma- reeba State High School, being one of the first schools in Queensland to install a Share the Dignity vending machine in their girl’s bathroom.

The initiative has been received well by students at the school, with the girls taking an advantage of the free period products, sharing them with their friends and family who need them.

Lesa believes this initiative has not only helped young women when they find themselves in strife but has also started the conversation when it comes to menstruation without the “taboo” that is associated with it.

Mareeba High School student and member of Days for Girls Velenia Musso has been by Lesa’s side through the Share the Dignity initiative and believes the work they do is crucial in helping women all over the world.

“I started coming in Grade 7 and I was really inspired by the work Days for Girls do,” she said.

“(Lesa and I) have been able to discuss ideas and paint the big picture by organising fundraisers and putting the word out there because not many people know what we do.”

Days for Girls kicks off every first Saturday of the month at Mareeba State High School’s sewing room. To get involved, contact Lesa on 0419 741 101 or follow their journey on the “Days For Girls Mareeba QLD Australia Team” Facebook page.

From running a business, being a councillor and actively involved in various committees within the community does not leave much time for much else. Every day brings something different. The opportunities for young ladies these days are endless.

Sometimes opportunities will present themselves from out of the blue, which could happen as it has happened with me. Set your goals, work hard to achieve the end result.

There will be obstacles along the way. It will not happen overnight; you need to push through and remember what your end goal is. “Never give up.”

From humble beginnings on my parent’s tobacco farm to a wife, mother, grandmother, manager, business owner and councillor. Growing up I could never have imagined that I could have achieved what I have to date.

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers

Happy International Women’s Day! Kristyn is proud to work in an all female led personal injury team at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers. Kristyn was born in Cairns and has recently celebrated 10 years of service. She has achieved compensation for hundreds of injured plaintiffs involved in workers’ compensation, motor vehicle accidents and public liability claims.

Kristyn travels regularly to the Tablelands to meet with clients at Apels Solicitors and Notary. She supports her Tablelands clients through their most vulnerable moments to help them get access to rehabilitation and compensation they deserve.

Robinson Civil Group

Robinson Civil Group (RCG) prides itself on providing an equitable workplace and breaking down stereotypes in the construction industry.

Caytlyn Mead is CEO of RCG, rising through the ranks and establishing herself as a knowledgeable and reputable leader of the company and within the construction industry.

Caytlyn’s diverse team includes amazing women who contribute immensely through their roles free of bias and discrimination to make RCG the successful company that it is.

“The struggle for working women is real.” says Caytlyn. “But if you enjoy your job and have a supportive team around you, then it is very rewarding.”

RCG congratulate all women out there, whatever role you do whether it be mum, volunteer, worker, business owner or CEO. You are amazing!

P: +617 4096 2399

M: 0428 608 272

W: www.robinsoncivil.com.au

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Mareeba Mazda and Mareeba Mitsubishi is a locally owned and award-winning

8 MARCH 2023

KATRINA KAZIM

Pilates with Katrina was established in 2021 by Mareeba local and qualified pilates instructor, Katrina Kazim.

The busy mum and her team offer professional pilates classes and training sessions suitable for everyone, at any age or fitness level. It’s 45 minutes of fitness and fun.

“I established Pilates with Katrina to help transform the lives of others by assisting clients to tone their bodies, build confidence and self-esteem,” Katrina said. “It’s also a great way to make new friendships and connections, and improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Pilates tones muscle, increases core strength and gives you a total body work out. “Pilates is amazing – you’re going to love it.”

“Everyone is welcome and anyone can do Pilates. It’s inclusive for all ages and all fitness levels.”

To all women seeking equal pay and secure work, we are on your side.

To all women who want to feel safe at work, in their communities

Let’s ‘Embrace Equity’ on International

ST STEPHEN’S CATHOLIC COLLEGE

St Stephen’s Catholic College recognises International Women’s Day and the importance of celebrating the success of women in our community, while also continuing to change the climate towards gender equality.

Our young leaders, both male and female, work together to make the world a better place. We seek to develop an inclusive and compassionate community for all through a commitment to service and the courage to make a difference.

Students at St Stephen’s are inspired to look towards an optimistic future and through varied learning and extra-curricular opportunities, are supported to reach their full potential.

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