Miss Inter-University ‘Sheshelter Initiative’ Tackles Menstrual Hygiene For University Women
By Grace Bryant Mollay
Miss Inter-University Liberia (MIUL) Queen Vashe T. Weah has officially launched her flagship project, the Sheshelter Initiative, at the University of Liberia (UL), her alma mater.
The project aims to address menstrual hygiene challenges faced by female students on campus.
The launch ceremony took place in the conference room of the UL Nathaniel Cassell Building.
The event was attended by UL president Layli Maparyan, officials from the Office of Student Affairs, organizers of the MIUL pageant, the MIUL First Runner-Up, and interim student leaders.
To kick start the initiative, Queen Vashe donated several boxes of sanitary pads, which will be placed in campus restrooms for female students.
She credited Lucky Pharmacy for supporting the project and also extended thanks to individual contributors.
“With his help, we were able to secure a few boxes of sanitary pads to launch this initiative. Thank you also to Alexa for the generous donation.”
Queen Vashe emphasized that her reign as Miss Inter-University is not just symbolic but a platform for meaningful impact.
She and her team conceived the Sheshelter Initiative as a way to address a critical but often overlooked need: menstrual hygiene and sanitation.
“If there’s one thing I believe in, it’s giving back to my community and country. This is just the beginning; we’ll be implementing this initiative across at least seven universities during my reign,”she said.
As part of the event, Queen Vashe also presented the University with a copy of her research paper titled “Socio-Economic Development: A Pathway to Liberia Becoming a Middle-Income Country,” focusing on agricultural productivity.
She originally presented this work during the MIUL pageant, representing the University of Liberia.
In her remarks, Queen Vashe thanked UL for its continued support throughout her pageant’s journey.
“You stood by me before and after the pageant. I’m truly grateful for that,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address, UL president Layli Maparyan praised the initiative for responding to the specific needs of women on campus.
“This project will help young women return to class and continue with their day, even during difficult times of the month,” Maparyan noted.
She added that menstrual health is a universal issue that connects all humanity.
“We are all here because of someone’s menstrual cycle. No matter our background or beliefs, that’s something that unites us.”
Maparyan applauded Queen Vashe and her team for launching a project with such far-reaching impact.
UL Vice president for Student Affairs, Associate Professor Sekou Konneh, also commended the initiative.
“This is a bold and commendable step. I urge students to use these items responsibly—take only what you need and leave the rest for others.”
Other attendees, including UL’s Interim Student Leadership, pledged support and announced additional contributions to the project, to be delivered at a later date.
