In the heart of Baga town, nestled amidst the arid landscapes of Kukawa LGA in Borno State, Falmata Yusuf's life was a tapestry of hope and resilience, woven with threads of family, community, and determination. Before the darkness of insurgency descended upon her town, Falmata and her husband flourished in their respective trades - he, a prosperous businessman, and she, a skilled tailor, crafting intricate designs that adorned the women and girls of their community. With five children to nurture and provide for, their lives were filled with the warmth of love and the promise of a brighter future.
But on that fateful night, the tranquility of Baga was shattered as insurgents arrived at the town. Amidst the chaos, families were torn apart, dreams were shattered, and lives were forever altered. Falmata's world crumbled around her as she fled into the darkness with her youngest child cradled in her arms, her heart heavy with fear and uncertainty.
Separated from her husband and four other children amidst the chaos, Falmata's journey through the bush was a harrowing ordeal of survival. Hunger gnawed at her belly, exhaustion weighed heavy upon her limbs, and despair threatened to consume her spirit. But through the darkness, a flicker of hope emerged as she was reunited with her son in the unforgiving embrace of the bush. Their reunion, however, was short-lived as tragedy struck once more, tearing her son from her grasp and leaving her heart shattered and her spirit broken.
Alone and desolate, Falmata's strength waned as she succumbed to sickness and despair, her body frail and her spirit fading. But in her darkest hour, salvation came in the form of compassionate souls who guided her to safety, carrying her and her child to the refuge of Maiduguri's Teachers Village IDP Camp.
Amid turmoil and uncertainty, Falmata found solace and support in the UNFPA Nigeria safe space, where she was embraced by a community of resilience and hope. It was here that she discovered a new sense of purpose and determination, fueled by the opportunity to reclaim her autonomy and rebuild her life.,
‘’When I first told my family about my decision to participate in the pad production training, many of my relatives were not supportive. They believed that the training was not something I should be proud of because the community viewed menstruation as shameful and dirty. Despite this, I continued attending the training and sharing my new knowledge with my family, friends, and neighbors. As word spread, more women and girls became interested in the training, and community attitudes towards menstruation and menstrual hygiene began to change for the better. I now train 107 women, and many of them have finished their training. As a result, I have become a role model in my community, inspiring other women and girls to take charge of their menstrual health’’.
With courage and perseverance, Falmata seized upon the chance to participate in the Integrated Women and Girl’s Empowerment Center/Dignity Kit Production Center training, recognizing it as a pathway to economic empowerment and a means to empower her fellow women. Through the training, she honed her skills and gained valuable knowledge in menstrual health and hygiene, shedding light on practices that were once shrouded in stigma and secrecy.
Armed with newfound confidence and resilience, Falmata emerged as a beacon of strength and inspiration in her community, challenging the norms and perceptions surrounding menstruation and empowering other women to take charge of their health and well-being. With each stitch and seam, she stitched together the fragments of her shattered life, weaving a tapestry of hope and resilience that illuminated the path forward.
Today, Falmata stands tall as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human heart, a survivor, a warrior, and a champion of change. Through adversity and hardship, she has forged a new path guided by compassion, courage, and unwavering determination. As she gazes upon the horizon, she knows that her journey is far from over - for in her hands lies the power to transform lives, uplift communities, and inspire hope in the hearts of all who dare to dream. In her bid to leave a positive impact on her community, Falmata was also quoted saying,
‘’I intend to utilize my acquired skills to train women and girls in the community on how to produce pads. I plan to rent a spacious shop that we can use as our community production center. I will then employ workers who will package the finished products and gradually increase our production capacity to a level where we can sell in larger quantities to vendors in major markets across the country’’.
