The young and dynamic lady is the head of the Kamerpad project specialised in the production of reusable menstrual pads.

Olivia Mvondo Boum II is a source of solace for many Cameroonian women and African women as well. Holder of a Master’s Degree in Marketing Strategy and International Commerce and another Master’s Degree in International Law, the young and dynamic Cameroonian is the head of the Kamerpad project specialised in the production of reusable menstrual pads. The project comes up at a time when menstruation and access to sanitary pads remain a taboo for many women and girls in the country.

The project started four years ago with three other Cameroonian youths based in France notably: Armand Anaba, Biya Djokou Claude and Professor Yap Boum II. Olivia Mvondo Boum II said she was inspired when she observed that in her environment women and girls faced difficulties having access to sanitary pads due to scarcity and the high cost. Kamerpad offers an alternative economic and sustainable solution to Cameroonian women to solve the monthly problem of buying sanitary pads.

The Kamerpad project has three major objectives: to ensure primary education for all, promote equality of sexes and empowerment of women and preserve the environment. The production of washable sanitary pads made in Cameroon ensures employment for women who can contribute to their empowerment and help them meet their needs and those of their families. A packet contains three washable pads, three inserts and one impermeable bag which is used for storage. The pack also has a user guide to orientate women on how to use it. The cost of a pack stands at FCFA 3000.

The Kamerpad project won an award from “La France S’engage au Sud” in November 2015. The award was handed over to Kamerpad on April 5, 2016 at the French Embassy in Yaounde. Olivia Mvondo Boum II had the opportunity of meeting with the French Head of State, Francois Holland in France who congratulated her for Kamerpad project in November 2015.

Kamerpad also received a prize on the social impact of the project from a Swiss NGO HORYOU at SIGEF 2015. Still in December 2015, Kamerpad received another award from the group FORIM in France. She said the problem that the project faces is that it is recognised abroad but not in Cameroon. She hopes that her group will one day meet the First Lady, whose encouragements will be a motivation for Cameroonian women.