Projeto Livre's intervention is based on the distribution of reusable pads and condoms, as well as the promotion of education on menstrual hygiene in Cape Verde, Santo Antão and São Vicente islands.
HOW THE FREE PROJECT WAS BORN
The idea for Livre arose during a volunteer project carried out in June 2021 by the 4 founders. During that time there was a very close contact with the local community, and it was possible to understand how some themes and problems are still present. Women's health issues continue to be taboo, which makes women vulnerable who do not have the means to guarantee hygiene, health and safety regarding their intimate health. At the same time, the financial issue is also an obstacle. The high cost of feminine hygiene products, taking into account the average financial capacity, makes this issue tend to be relegated to the background. For that reason, we believe that this project will be important in allowing access to intimate health goods to women with economic and social needs so that they can be free and independent. All of this acting from a perspective with economic and sustainable concerns.
THE PROJECT
Projeto Livre distributes Reusable Dressing Kits and Condom Kits . The Reusable Pad Kit was properly developed to be able to assist the woman throughout the menstrual period. Each Kit consists of a Waterproof Bag with a separating flap for storing used and clean dressings. For more, each Kit contains 6 Reusable Dressings; being 2 Daily Pads; 2 Normal Dressings and 2 Intense Dressings (Night). All Kits are distributed with information on how to sanitize the dressing.
OUR GOALS
The main objective of Projeto Livre is to contribute to the reduction of menstrual poverty in the society of Santo Antão and, at the same time, to play an active role in the development of initiatives that promote sex education. Currently, we have other proposals to extend the Project to Ilha de São Vicente, where we will start working in the future. In this way, Projeto Livre intends to donate reusable dressing kits and condoms to the community, mainly to vulnerable society, with a view to reducing the high rate of early pregnancy on the Island. In addition to distributing dressings and condoms, we carry out menstrual and sex education sessions as a way of bringing strong empowerment to women. We currently operate on Santo Antão Island. In this sense, the Project promotes menstrual education sessions to women who receive them through trained volunteers and educators.
PARTNERSHIP WITH OMCV
Projeto Livre has a partnership with the Cape Verde Women's Organization that directly assists in monitoring the main women in vulnerable conditions both on Santo Antão Island and São Vicente Island, especially in rural and semi-rural areas. OMCV is a public utility NGO, founded on March 27, 1981, and its central focus is the promotion of women, early childhood, the empowerment of women and families, and gender equality. In partnership with Projeto Livre, OMCV helps in the distribution of dressings and condoms through direct contact with institutions and government officials. In addition, OMCV has recently formed a women's group to produce reusable pads. The work performed by women constitutes one of the main means of income; and, for this reason, Projeto Livre will support local production in Cape Verde in order to directly assist these women.
THE FREE AND DISCONCERTUNA PROJECT
In 2022, we continue our efforts to raise partnerships and publicize our project. With the objective, by June 2022, to send new donations to Cape Verde. Thus, during the first quarter of 2022, we made a new purchase of 100 dressings and 850 condoms and also closed several partnerships that allowed us to receive donations of goods to add to the material we buy. In April 2022 we will be present at the Festival de Tunas da Desconcertuna, with which we have partnered to make it possible for us to carry out a fundraising campaign with the aim of raising €200 that will allow us to buy about 7 kits of dressings (final fundraising of €230).
