PridePads Africa Co-Founder, Dr. Ajume Wingo, wins Active Ally Award

This month, the PridePads Africa board is honored to announce that our co-founder Dr. Ajume H. Wingo will be awarded the Active Ally Award by the YWCA of Boulder County. This award recognizes men who are dedicated champions for women and girls, and Dr. Wingo is a true embodiment of an Active Ally through his work as co-founder of PridePads Africa. 

Dr. Wingo’s vision and leadership have been instrumental in tackling menstrual inequality in his native Cameroon, focusing not only on access to eco-friendly pads but also on critical education that empowers girls to stay in school and reach their full potential.. He was also recognized for his lifelong commitment to justice, dignity, and amplifying marginalized voices - inspiring and driving meaningful change throughout his career.  Congratulations, Dr. Wingo! 

Also this month, PridePads Africa is continuing our social media series, The PridePads Period Diaries: Real Women, Real Stories. This series attempts to destigmatize menstruation and stress the importance of education so that Girls in Cameroon (and around the world) can be well-informed prior to their first periods. Deep-seated cultural and religious beliefs often portray menstruation as something shameful or unnatural, contributing to widespread stigma. Through these women’s first period stories, PridePads aims to normalize conversations on menstruation and remind readers that many girls worldwide still lack access to education and support. 

This month, we’re proud to highlight the story of Michaela Abam, PridePads Ambassador and forward for the Toluca FC Feminil and the Cameroon Women’s National Football Team. 

Michaela shares the story of her first period, which arrived a day before an important soccer match. She talks about feeling uncertain, scared, and unprepared - emotions so many young girls feel when getting their first period. Reflecting on her experience, Michaela stresses the importance of teaching young girls about their periods and their bodies, and most importantly normalizing talk about their cycles. Through her roles as a PridePads Ambassador and professional soccer player, Michaela is determined to break the stigma and normalize period conversations, especially in sports. Michaela’s dedication is inspiring a new generation of girls to embrace their bodies, speak openly, and feel confident in every area of their lives. To watch Michaela’s story, please visit our YouTube or Instagram. 

We’re also pleased to share that the 2025 Q2 Report is available online. This report details our activities from April to June of this year, including fundraiser news, production updates, and new partnerships. To read the report, click HERE. 

Please join the PridePads Africa team as we continue to normalize conversation about menstruation. 

With Heartfelt Gratitude,

PridePads Africa Board of Directors