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Women reaching out in worldwide initiative

A Turner Valley artist who learned it only takes some fabric, sewing equipment and busy hands to give women in developing countries a chance for success is spreading the word in the Foothills.
Black Diamond resident Felicity Lowinger assembles a reusable sanitary napkin kit to go to a women who does not have easy access to feminine hygiene products.
Black Diamond resident Felicity Lowinger assembles a reusable sanitary napkin kit to go to a women who does not have easy access to feminine hygiene products.

A Turner Valley artist who learned it only takes some fabric, sewing equipment and busy hands to give women in developing countries a chance for success is spreading the word in the Foothills.

Susan Kristoferson is an ambassador for Days for Girls, an initiative that provides sanitary supplies to women world-wide.

She is inspiring women across the Foothills to create reuseable feminine product kits that ensure girls won’t have to miss school and women won’t miss work while menstruating.

“I am an art teacher and believe strongly in the importance of education,” she said. “Every year a girl stays in school, her earning capacity is 20 per cent higher.”

Kristoferson learned about Days for Girls while reading Oprah Magazine two years ago and was immediately inspired.

“It put shivers down my back to think there were girls who couldn’t go to school because they were menstruating or had to do sexual favours to pay for (sanitary supplies),” she said.

“That’s just wrong. I’ve had all the privileges I wanted in terms of education. To think a young girl doesn’t have the privilege simply because she’s menstruating - I realized I can do something to make a difference.”

Kristoferson joined a group in Calgary that makes the kits, which consist of a drawstring bag, two pairs of cotton panties, two liner units the pads go into, eight pads, two Ziplock bags for washing, a wash cloth, soap and diagrams that show how to use and care for the pieces.

Last spring, Kristoferson started a work group in her Turner Valley home called the Diamond Valley Area Divas who meet the second Monday of each month from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. to sew the various components.

In January, 200,000 kits were distributed internationally with the help of 600 chapters in 100 countries, she said.

For Kristoferson, it’s about giving women the same opportunities their male counterparts have for education and work.

“I see this as a worldwide army of women helping women in a way that can change the world,” she said.

Kristoferson said menstruating women in many developing countries are isolated or have to use leaves, mattress stuffing, corn husks or anything they can find. They often miss an average of two months of school or work each year because they don’t have proper feminine supplies.

In some areas, sanitary supplies are available only if girls are willing to endure sexual exploitation in exchange, she said.

“Some feel shamed because they’re bleeding,” she said. “If you’re an orphan somewhere and you’re bleeding, you think you’re dying of aids.”

Kristoferson said the program goes beyond handing out the kits.

During distribution, the women and girls are educated about proper feminine hygiene, reproductive health, the right to say no, women’s right according to the United Nations and how they can work together to support one another. It’s even prompted some to start up groups that make kits and soap in their communities.

According to the Days for Girls website, after the kits were distributed in schools absentee rates dropped from 25 to three per cent in Uganda and 36 to eight per cent in Kenya.

The initiative is getting attention in the Foothills with woman starting the movement in Okotoks, High River and Langdon.

Felicity Lowinger, owner of Leather & Lace yarn shop in Black Diamond, learned about the program from Kristoferson and started a group that gets together the first and third Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“I think we all need to help those who are less fortunate,” she said. “There are so many of us who have so much and there are so many who have absolutely nothing.”

Lowinger said she’s gotten a few ladies together to cut, serge, sew and iron fabric using the patterns provided by the organization.

She said they use top-quality fabric and ensure the stitching is done properly and the garments last a minimum of three years.

“I have three sewing machines, a serger, three irons and plenty of space,” she said. “There are so many jobs that need doing. Everything is done by hand.”

The pads are made from quilting-grade flannel in dark colours to hide stains and make caring for them easier, she said.

Lowinger said she is glad to do what she can to help out.

“There’s girls who don’t go to school and women who don’t go to work, which brings down the income for the family,” she said. “I’m originally from Zimbabwe but I was brought up in an affluent family. It brought it home that much more to me. Most of us go down to the pharmacy and get what we want when we want it.”

Anyone interested in donating materials or joining Lowinger’s group can call 933-5051 or drop by her store at 820 3rd Street SW in Black Diamond.

To join Susan Kristoferson’s Monday sessions in Turner Valley call 403-619-6875 or email [email protected]

Items needed include new coloured cotton underpants, lightweight, coloured washcloths, hotel-size soaps, Ziploc freezer bags, fabric, quilting squares and monetary donations.

In celebration of International Day of the Girl Child through the United Nations on Oct. 11, a work session will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Kristoferson’s studio in Turner Valley. Call 403-619-6875 for more information.

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