Tackling Period Poverty

Poverty means no access to suitable sanitary protection.. Menstrual hygiene is a problem for girls and women who have no access to menstrual products or clean water supplies  Girls with no sanitary towels resort to using cloth rags or old newspapers instead. This is not only embarrassing, it is unhygienic and can cause Urinary Tract Infections.  Girls avoid going to school when they have their periods and these lost school days eventually have an effect on their education and their future chances. Girls are also vulnerable to sexual abuse in return for sanitary towels and risks of pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

We are helping to change this by providing sanitary towels and underwear to all girls who enrol in our Mentorship Program. We aim towards sustainable options by also offering Menstrual cups to those who choose them and we have introduced a sewing program teaching girls how to sew their own reusable washable cotton sanitary towels.

Our approach encourages sharing information about our Empowerment program with parents and local communities. We are working towards breaking taboos around the issue of menstruation and a better understanding of the unique challenges faced by all girls living in poverty. This approach really does make a difference