Growing up in the Northeast of Brazil, Manuela Itajací knew that lack of access to sanitary pads was keeping many girls from going to school when they had their periods. She was determined to challenge this reality after participating in Ayomide, a peer education initiative for Black girls. “After I understood what menstrual dignity was, I felt an enormous desire to make a difference in the lives of women and girls like me”, says Manuela.
Ayomide means “my joy has arrived” in Yoruba, a West African language of great importance for many Afro-Brazilian cultural and religious practices. The Ayomide initiative was created by Instituto Odara to strengthen Black girls’ autonomy and leadership in building a future based on the social philosophy of Buen Vivir.
With Ayomide, Manuela learned about sexual and reproductive rights. She began collecting and donating menstrual products monthly for marginalized people in her community, and providing information in public schools. Manuela is now 14 years old, and the project she founded has since expanded to two additional neighborhoods.
