Qaali’s* face lights up as soon as she hears her name being called during the distribution of dignity kits at the Women and Girls’ Safe Space at Kabasa Displacement Camp in Doolow, Gedo. She has been struggling to maintain her hygiene with dignity and is desperate for relief. On this day, Northern Frontier Youth League (NoFYL) was distributing dignity kits at her camp to help women and girls meet their hygiene needs with dignity. 

“When I fled my village due to the floodings, I didn’t have a chance to pack any of my belongings. I was so afraid and desperate to find safety for my children and myself,” said Qaali, the 29-year-old mother of four children. 

During displacement, women and girls are forced to leave their homes with only the clothes on their backs. Overwhelmed by financial constraints, they often struggle to obtain essential materials, including soap, menstrual hygiene supplies, and basic clothing items, which are needed to maintain their personal health and dignity. In the absence of proper sanitary products, women and girls resort to using unsafe alternatives, like ripping old clothes or other fabrics in the house and use them as sanitary pads during their period, which pose serious health risks. They prioritize using the little money they have on food and other essentials, in lieu of hygiene products. 

“I have no income, nothing. Most of the days I struggle with meeting the basic needs of my children, like daily food. When you don’t have the means to change clothes or you don’t have money to even buy soap, something as natural as one’s menstrual period becomes a real challenge,” said Qaali. 

With support from UNICEF, NoFYL provided dignity kits to 978 women and girls across IDP sites in Bardheere (401), Doolow (377), and Belet-Xaawo (200) districts, Gedo.  The kit contains essential hygiene items such as bathing soap, powder soap, dresses, shawl, petticoats, sanitary pads, headscarves and a carrying bag. 

“To my surprise, they gave me a bag containing three dress, three soaps, three sanitary pads, three underwear, three shawl, three petticoats and three headscarves – all free of charge!” Qaali recalls. 

Farhiya* from Iftin IDP site in Bardheere agrees that the kit made her life more comfortable in the camp. “Now I can change and wash my clothes. I freely move inside as well as outside the camp with confidence.” 

For Maryam* and Zamzam*, menstruation has long been a difficult period. It often meant missing school and avoiding social activities with friends. “We used to feel embarrassed even going to the toilet or to the shop if our mother sent us to get something,” says Zamzam. “Thanks to the dignity kit, we now go to school without any worry,” added Maryam. 

During NoFYL’s dignity kit distribution, the women and girls receive an awareness session on gender-based violence which highlights various types of violence against women and where to get help if needed. These sessions are conducted regularly at the Women and Girl’s Safe Spaces located at internally displaced camps (IDP) sites and facilitated by trained case workers from NoFYL. 

“The awareness session helps displaced women and girls to know about gender-based violence. This shared space and knowledge gives them the strength to uplift their voices against any threat, harm or violence,” explains Fouzia Hussein, a case worker with NoFYL in Doolow. 

“I am grateful. I am learning how to protect myself and my children while being displaced. Thanks to the dignity kits provided by NoFYL, women and girls will not have to hide in their shelters every time they have their periods. We can live freely and healthily,” said Salma*, timidly. 

Salma takes a moment to answer the question on how she feels the support could be improved next time. As she tends to her younger child, she finally responds: “I wish the distribution of the dignity kits could happen every month. It would also be great if shoes were included in the kit next time.” 

“Can we have some books and pens added in the bag?” asked her 14-year-old daughter, with a hearty laugh. 

*Names changes for privacy and protection. 

Photos of kits distribution: