In my country, there has been an alarming rise in skin bleaching among women, a trend that extended to mothers applying these products to their young children. This concerning situation inspired my final year project, titled "Prevalence and Sociocultural Dynamics of Skin Bleaching among Mothers of Under-Fives."
Through the project, I engaged with numerous women to explore their perceptions and experiences with skin bleaching. I discovered that many women, often due to misinformation and misconceptions, used these products—some unintentionally. Alarmingly, only a few were aware of the severe long-term health risks, including renal failure and diabetes, associated with chronic use.
My millennium fellowship project is a step up from that and its aim is to raise awareness about recognizing skin bleaching products and educate women on their health implications. As part of this initiative, I conducted community outreach programs and health talks at primary healthcare centers to address this critical issue. During the outreach, I also presented printed images illustrating the health consequences of skin bleaching and its various side effects. These visuals were shown to the participants to help them better understand the risks associated with the practice.