We are living in unprecedented times. We know that the economic situation of many people in Sierra Leone does not allow them to stock up food and stay confined. It is under such circumstances that the government of Sierra Leone declares a nation wide lockdown without ample notice to get the people prepare. As the COVID-19 is a global pandemic rapidly spreading across the African continent, especially in Sierra Leone, I am worried because our health systems are fragile and incapable of meeting the demand to this crisis. In addition, access to menstrual hygiene products has increased in most regions, but women and girls in many low and middle income countries, such as Sierra Leone, continue to lack access to the acquisition of high quality affordable menstrual products of their choice. In Sierra Leone, where most women use sanitary pads in urban areas, a greater percentage uses clothes to manage their menstrual hygiene, especially in rural communities.

As a result of poor menstrual flow management, many women and girls are held back and miss out on opportunities afforded to their male fellow. In Sierra Leone the fact that, especially in rural communities, women use clothes to collect menstrual blood with no pepper hygiene leads to have adverse health effects, including an increased risk of infection. Left untreated, infections may lead to infertility and death. Mental and emotional stress during menstrual periods when at school is also visible. The girls have difficulties concentrating on learning as they concentrate on their condition, also due to the difficulties in maintaining standards of hygiene, due to inadequate facilities available in some schools such as toilets, water, sanitary napkins, privacy rooms. Sometimes, these girls are obliged to be absent from schools which causes them to perform poorly on their academic work leading to a negative effect to their futures.

Gender discrimination did not appear as a separate issue, it emerged as a cross-cutting factor due to traditional and cultural beliefs. The topics of menstruation and menstrual issues are not discussed with male family members which is a kind of gender discrimination in silence, due to the male schoolmates ignorance as they take pleasure in teasing, ridiculing and harassing these girls and young women. Also, just like how the Ebola epidemic had devastating effects on young people and particularly striving communities, all signs on the table hint that the COVID-19 Pandemic will do even worse to our girls.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, most menstrual hygiene support programs have been suspended. As majority of the staff are working from homes. Access to common facilities is limited, following enforced lockdowns and even those who could previously afford pads, are financially incapacitated due to the loss of jobs following social distancing regulations. As much, as I can observe, most adolescent girls and menstruating women are resorting to reuse readily available materials, such as pieces of clothes and mattress cottons that are within reach. While this might seem like a sustainable intervention, improper reuse of search materials posses an extra challenge of infection and other health complications. It is noteworthy that improper is rampart in underserved areas which lack access to clean water, soap and hygiene facilities. This is where most of the underprivileged population are found.

And this is why I have work tirelessly to support young girls in my community by;

- Innovatively design an accessible, leak proof and reusable sanitary pad that reduces the chances of infection and other health complications to the user. The pad design has been easily made at home for the targeted population of 300 girls during the piloting and testing phase. In addition, the materials are biodegradable and readily available in most households with the exception of PUL;

- I want to raise awareness among 100,000 adolescent girls and menstruating women in vulnerable communities;

- I have creatively designed a distribution system for the reusable sanitary pads to ensure they reach the intended users, while observing COVID-19 pandemic preventive measures.

As a young lady with passion for young girls and youths wellbeing in both rural and urban communities I aim at ensuring that social vices, injustices against girls and women become a thing of the past and proper hygiene practices are observed by girls so that they live as responsible people in society. I see myself as a health activist sharing information and knowledge; believer of the development of the health sector of our beloved nation, especially for striving communities who account for most of the worlds misery. Notwithstanding the fact that even on optimistic assumptions, most parts of the population are still living in poor health conditions and usually found living alongside a relatively prosperous privilege minority. In my honest truth, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on striving communities and the world's economies can not be over emphasized. We can restore hope to these communities and especially young people if like-minded institutions come to their aid in supporting our dreams so as, we continue making impact in our communities.

Mariatu Gbassay Kanu was born in Makeni City in Sierra Leone. She is a graduate in community health and clinical studies from Njala University. Mariatu is the founder and executive director of the Resilient Empowerment and Advocacy of Life Skills (REAL), a transformative initiative for girls to empower them and nurture their impact on their communities about basic hygiene practices.

Mariatu is a peer trainer, and considers herself as an inspiring social speaker and a creative individual. She has the ability to persevere against all odds.