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Addressing Period Poverty in Uganda

Addressing the Period Poverty Crisis in Uganda Uganda’s population is 50.7% women and girls, a percentage that translates to 23.2 million, and approximately 65% of those women and girls do not have proper access to menstrual health and hygiene products. This means over half of the female population is struggling to manage their periods hygienically. Being part of this percentage often means missing school or work and facing health threats such as urinary tract infections, dermatitis and mental health concerns like reduced self-esteem. However, period poverty can be addressed with the help of nonprofit organizations and government interventions.

About Period Poverty

Organizations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Pan African Think Tank define period poverty as inadequate access to menstrual hygiene health, products and education. This includes the inability to access pads, tampons or menstrual cups, as well as inadequate washing facilities, improper waste management and lack of education. While period poverty stems from multiple causes, the most frequently discussed is economic insecurity.

Period poverty is experienced by women and girls globally. Not every girl facing this issue is experiencing economic insecurity, but low- and middle-income areas are heavily affected. Families battling low income may not have proper access to menstrual or hygiene products or washing facilities due to inflation. According to a 2022 article by Context, prices of menstrual products in African countries doubled over a short period. In Ghana, where the inflation rate was 32%, prices rose from 5 Ghanaian cedi in 2021 to 12 in 2022. Low-income homes across Africa, including Uganda, sometimes reject their daughters’ requests for sanitary pads to afford food. As a result, 1 in 10 women and girls living in Sub-Saharan Africa miss school during their periods, accounting for about 20% of the academic school year.

Lack of Sanitation Facilities and Menstrual Education

Economic insecurity is not the only contributing factor. Another major driver is the lack of basic sanitation facilities in schools. More than 1.5 billion people worldwide do not have access to basic sanitation, such as private toilets. This alone keeps many girls out of school, as facilities may not be clean or may lack proper waste-disposal methods.

A final driver of period poverty is the lack of menstrual education. This affects girls by perpetuating stigmas and preventing them from understanding essential information about their menstrual cycle. In several countries, girls with periods face harmful cultural norms, including being labeled as “dirty” or restricted from certain activities. These stigmas stem from the lack of menstrual education provided in schools. Without basic knowledge of regular and irregular bleeding, hygiene needs or what symptoms require attention, girls may face health risks such as UTIs, dermatitis and unsafe practices such as transactional sex.

Period Poverty in Uganda and Its Effects on Girls

Affording and accessing menstrual necessities remains a widespread challenge in Uganda. More than half of the country’s female population is unable to meet their menstrual health needs. While the Government of Uganda has acknowledged period poverty as a critical issue that limits women and girls both developmentally and educationally, the problem remains prevalent.

“Ugandan girls would use old rags, clothes, and even toilet paper when they were on their period,” said Irene Nakitende, a Ugandan student at the University of North Texas, during a speech on period poverty.

Nakitende experienced period poverty in her youth in Uganda and recalled the main issues that contributed to it, including lack of education and sanitation facilities, as well as bullying. Many families could not afford pads and prioritized food instead. Because of this lack of products, girls often resorted to alternatives that led to leakage. Stained clothing resulted in embarrassment and bullying, causing many girls to stay home every month for one to five days and miss an average of 20% of classes during the school year.

The primary impact period poverty has on Ugandan girls is access to education. In Uganda, 19.8% of girls missed school at least once during the year because of their periods, and 17.3% reported absenteeism specifically during menstrual days. Missing such a high percentage of lessons reduces the likelihood of pursuing higher education after primary or secondary school.

Lack of education also includes limited menstrual education. Up to 66% of girls do not understand their periods until they experience them. Without information on menstrual pain, hygiene steps or warning signs of infections, girls face increased risks of UTIs, dermatitis and other challenges.

Ongoing Efforts

There have been precautionary guidelines created by Ugandan organizations to reduce period poverty. In 2015, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) issued a guideline for schools in Uganda. The guidelines were created in response to the needs of young girls. In 2017, menstrual hygiene management was added to the Planning and Implementation Framework for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). This greatly helped girls seeking safe and comfortable spaces to manage their cycles, as 574 secondary schools in Uganda now had proper menstrual hygiene management systems.

In 2019, the National Water and Sanitation Strategy was instituted in Uganda to increase access to sustainable water and proper hygiene services through facilities, teaching and awareness.

Looking Ahead

Continued investment in menstrual health education, sanitation facilities and affordable products can help reduce period poverty across Uganda. As government agencies, schools and nonprofits expand their support, more girls will be able to stay in school, protect their health and manage their periods with dignity. Strengthening these efforts offers a path toward greater equality and long-term social and economic development for women and girls nationwide.

– Keyly Rios

Keyly is based in Dallas, TX, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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4 Charities Combating Period Poverty in Poland

4 Charities Combatting Period Poverty in Poland Poland has seen a significant rise in living standards in the last 20 years, with GDP per capita doubling since 2005. However, period poverty in Poland remains a significant issue.

Period poverty is when women lack adequate access to the quantity or quality of menstrual hygiene products. Many have criticized health care for women in Poland in recent years, not only for the abortion ban but also for poor levels of gynaecological care, a lack of funding from the national health fund and difficult access to contraception. Women’s health remains a taboo issue within Poland, with 41% of Polish women reporting that menstruation was never discussed in the family home.

The Kulczyk Foundation’s Period Study

In 2020, the Kulczyk Foundation conducted a large-scale survey on young girls and attitudes toward periods within Poland. This revealed shocking levels of menstrual shame and demonstrated high levels of period poverty. The study found that 21% of schoolgirls leave school due to a lack of access to menstrual products and that one-fifth of Polish women struggle to buy appropriate menstrual products. It also revealed that women and girls had misconceptions surrounding periods, with 25% of women thinking it was impossible to get pregnant during their period and 22% believing women should not go to the dentist during menstruation.

4 Charities Combating Period Poverty in Poland

Here are four organizations and charities that are doing the most to combat period poverty in Poland.

  1. The Różowa Skrzyneczka (Pink Box) Foundation. The Pink Box foundation aims to alleviate period poverty in Poland and reduce the stigma surrounding menstruation. This programme directly counteracts menstrual poverty through publicly available boxes containing free pads and tampons. Public spaces such as libraries, parks, transport hubs and schools are used to host these boxes. So far, major cities including Rzeszów, Sopot, Gdańsk and Łódź have implemented them.
  2. Menstruation Action. Menstruation Action aims to combat misconceptions about periods and provide access to period products for schoolgirls. Early efforts by Menstruation Action involve the purchasing and distribution of 1,000 menstrual cups for those most affected by period poverty in Poland, including single mothers, those in refugee centres and orphanages. In September 2020, the “Hey Girls” campaign launched, in which they provided boxes filled with essential sanitary products to schools and organized classes on menstruation for schoolgirls. More recent initiatives include the launch of “Padsharing.” Padsharing is a support network that connects women in need with donors. Through this programme, donors anonymously place and pay for orders according to the women in need’s instructions. Menstruation Action also introduced the “Heyday” initiative in July 2021 to create the first dedicated menstrual dispensers in Poland. The idea behind this project was so that companies and institutions that would like to introduce menstrual products into their toilets can do so despite lacking the resources to do so. They also provide “period help points” across Kraków, containing free sanitary products.
  3. Yestopads.com. Yestopads is a result of the Periodic Coalition, an association of charities, organizations and female experts who want to normalise and destigmatise female menstruation. The coalition consists of more than 40 partners and supporters, aiming to help the nearly 2 million girls aged 9–19 who are either menstruating or about to menstruate. They are currently attempting to introduce the first draft act on menstruation to ensure free access to menstrual products and provide girls with adequate education on menstruation.
  4. Gohealthygirl. Gohealthygirl operates a “pink clinic.” This is a safe space in which women and girls can see a doctor for any gynaecological reason without judgment. Studies performed by this organization have revealed that women experience unpleasant comments about appearance, knowledge and sexual orientation, and many often experience poor treatment from doctors. They also provide free health guides, podcasts and articles online on women’s health to provide women and girls with accessible education about their bodies.

Looking Ahead

Despite period poverty remaining a significant issue for women and girls in Poland, the work of these organizations suggests a positive direction for removing the stigma surrounding menstruation and the reduction of period poverty in Poland.

– Alys Gaze

Alys is based in Swansea, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Global Girls Glow in Uganda: Ending Period Poverty

Global Girls Glow UgandaPeriod poverty is a leading barrier to education, health and gender equality. It is defined as the inability to access safe, hygienic and educational means of managing menstruation. Financial difficulties, limited education or health care and negative social stigmas can cause this.

Global Girls Glow is a leading international organization that works in countries around the world to empower women to reduce period poverty. By leading with “by girls, for girls,” the organization empowers girls to change the stigma around menstruation, educate and make hygiene products more accessible. By “recognizing agency, exercising voices and building power, it inspires the next generation of young female leaders in their communities, their countries and in the advocacy of reducing period poverty globally.”

Understanding Period Poverty in Uganda

In Uganda, period poverty is a significant nationwide issue. Most concerningly, girls miss 18% of the school year due to absences caused by periods and inaccessible and unhygienic menstrual products. Only 22% of girls in Uganda have access to sanitary pads. This has an immediate knock-on effect on their health, education, income and career prospects.

Additionally, Uganda grapples with a significant negative social stigma against menstruation, which girls experience in their schools and communities. This further perpetuates the vicious cycle of gender inequality. Absence from school can result in increased occurrences of child marriages and domestic abuse.

Schools can often be safe spaces for girls, yet 23% of Ugandan girls aged 12-18 drop out due to the inability to manage their periods. Reducing period poverty isn’t just about access to affordable and hygienic products. It is about safety, education and empowering Ugandan girls to remain contributing members of society without the fear or limitation of being held back by their period.

Global Girls Glow in Uganda 

Global Girls Glow addresses all aspects of period poverty. It focuses on creating safe spaces, raising voices and educating. Program Officer and Manager, Faith Vosevwa and Program Manager Mukonyo Muendo spoke with The Borgen Project, saying that they lead with “by girls, for girls” because ‘we believe when we center girls’ voices, we ensure that they are not just beneficiaries but more of active participants.”

Girl participation is at the heart of the charity’s programs; Vosevwa shares that “They share ideas, sit at the decision-making table and evaluate the outcome.” These programs are built by the girls who want to learn about their bodies and empower Ugandan girls to advocate for themselves and for others.

Muendo adds, “Women have always been treated as second-class citizens, not just in Africa but globally. When half of the population is not empowered, when they are disenfranchised, then we are leaving half of the country behind.”

Girls for School Pads

In Uganda, Girls for School Pads was founded by 18-year-old Kashish, a Glow Club member, who challenged community views on periods. She and her team use community-led methods like visiting schools and rural areas, hosting discussions and education forums. Glow Uganda works with local organizations to share information about events, as these voices are familiar to communities.

Girls for School Pads offer affordable period products and demonstrate how to make and properly wash pads to improve access to menstrual products. A hygienic and self-sufficient way to combat period poverty has been created. Muendo adds that GLOW Uganda distributes menstrual hygiene packets annually, including age-appropriate information booklets, underwear and menstrual products.

Community-Led Approaches

The signature program, GLOW Club, offers a curriculum for club members, which is facilitated by local mentors on a weekly basis. The club provides a safe space for girls to ask questions about menstruation and their bodies. There are several techniques GLOW Uganda uses to encourage girls to speak freely and openly. Vosevwa discusses their anonymous sharing sessions, supportive spaces within community-based centers and schools. Girls can drop by to ask questions about menstruation, sex and their bodies.

Vosevwa shares that the most common questions include topics such as family and community expectations, safety, rights, bodily changes and gender differences — for example: “Why are boys given more freedoms than girls? Is it normal for my body to look or develop differently from others? What is safe sex? And how can I protect myself from pregnancy and infections?”

GLOW goes beyond providing these safe spaces, which females facilitate, to ask these questions; it ensures that girls receive the correct, age-appropriate information to make changes. This alleviates anxieties and develops a sense of cultural understanding and acceptance. Vosevwa notes: “Most girls they work with are schoolgirls who can communicate with teachers, peers, parents and school staff.” Events occur in churches and community halls through word of mouth, strong local relationships and partnerships.

Advocacy & Impact Story

Girls for School Pads alone have reached 500 women and girls. About 60 girls have been able to continue their education through the Girls for School Pads scholarship program. Vosevwa shared a story about a girl from Mityana, Uganda. Initially, she had little self-esteem when she was introduced to GLOW Uganda at a local event. After participating in one of the GLOW clubs, she passed on her newly learned information to her friends.

Her mother took note and passed it on to other mothers. That girl mentored more than 30 girls in her community. The impact was tremendous; she went from a “girl who did not believe in herself to a girl who believed she could bring change.”

Advocacy is at the forefront of GLOW Uganda. Many girls and women come from communities where they are being silenced. Through advocacy training and programs, girls become curious, ask questions, share stories and become confident and vocal. Destigmatization involves having normalized conversations about menstruation, alongside providing education and correct, age-appropriate information, which empowers Ugandan girls.

Going Forward

Girls for School Pads and Global Girls GLOW are changing the landscape of period poverty for girls and women across Uganda. By leading with “by girls, for girls,” every aspect of period poverty is addressed, as no girl is left behind. Instead, they become influential voices that empower Ugandan girls to advocate for themselves and inspire girls globally.

– Jule Riemeschneider

Jule is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Bidipads: Menstrual Products in Uganda Refugee Settlement

bidipadsAn initiative in Bidibi, Uganda, is expanding access to menstrual and hygiene products within refugee settlements. This project, known for their production of “bidipads,” consists of both refugees and community members. The initiative promotes proper menstrual hygiene through the production of reusable sanitary pads, as well as soap, women’s underwear, and garments. In addition to supplying the community with sanitary products, it also focuses on community education and stigma management surrounding menstruation. HEKS/EPER (Swiss Church Aid Uganda) in partnership with Yumbe Gender-Based Violence Network (YUGNET) started the Bidipad project in Uganda.

Refugee Settlements in Uganda

Uganda is home to the largest number of refugees within East Africa, serving as a place for safe settlement for more than 1.2 million asylum seekers. The country of origin for many of these refugees is South Sudan or the Democratic Republic of Congo, both of which have faced instances of extreme instability in recent years.

Established in 2016. Bidibi is a settlement within the Yumbe district to address the influx of South Sudanese refugees. In less than a year, this settlement became home to a quarter million refugees, reaching its maximum capacity and making it one of the largest refugee settlements in the world.

Bidipads

Within Bidibi, several groups have come together to establish an initiative to improve menstrual hygiene within the community. The initiative does this by employing women within the settlement to manufacture hygiene products ranging from reusable pads to soap. The bidipads project is formatted in a cooperative structure with 30 women from the settlement and 30 women from the host community participating at a time, according to the Global Compact on Refugees.

This employment opportunity allows for increased economic empowerment for the participating women, something desperately needed after the relocation that these refugees have faced. As one of the women in the cooperative remarked, “I am very happy to be part of the training. The skills I have acquired here will improve my life and ensure that I am always self-employed. For me, this is my biggest joy because as a refugee, we are always dependent, and I am tired of this dependency,” Global Compact on Refugees reports.

Community Education

Along with the production of menstrual and hygiene products, this initiative also seeks to educate and reduce stigma around menstruation within the refugee community. It seeks to do this in both home and school environments, hoping to encourage a change in perspective around menstruation on a large scale. When developing this initiative, members of the cooperative hosted a workshop to brainstorm how physical products can contribute to stigma reduction in the community. Considerations around religious and cultural backgrounds are part of the design of the products, including color and cleaning instructions. In doing this, the initiative takes a necessary hygiene product and transforms it into a tool for women and girls that is free from awkwardness and shame.

The Future

Working within the Bidibi community, organizations like HEKS/EPER and YUGNET have come together to help the refugee women of Uganda on several fronts. Through the Bidipads initiative, women receive employment and empowerment within their wage-earning status, while receiving necessary hygiene products and educational programming to address cultural stigmas around menstruation.

– Gwyneth Connor

Gwyneth is based in Kensington, MD, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women-Led Solutions to Period Poverty in Uganda

Period Poverty in UgandaPeriod poverty refers to the lack of safe, accessible and educational means of managing menstruation. Financial hardship, lack of education and social stigma all contribute to period poverty. In Uganda, only 22% of girls have access to safe and hygienic sanitary products, leading some to use makeshift alternatives such as old clothes, soil or paper. These practices increase health risks, including contracting STIs. Additionally, 23% of girls ages 12 to 18 drop out of school when they begin menstruation, which affects their education and limits future opportunities. However, several women-led initiatives are fighting period poverty by addressing and finding solutions for all aspects of period poverty.

Girls for School Pads by Global Girls Glow

Founded by Kashish at just 18 years old, Girls for School Pads focuses on changing the way communities perceive periods. Safe spaces are being created for girls to ask questions about their bodies and, in turn, understand how to effectively manage their health and well-being. Alongside providing affordable and reusable sanitary products, educational workshops and community dialogues are created to inform people about menstruation. The proceeds made from these events go directly to funding scholarships for girls’ education. Since its startup in 2018, Girls for School Pads has impacted 500 women and girls and 60 girls within three Ugandan cities are pursuing their education through the scholarship programme.

She for She Pads

She for She Pads is a social enterprise that produces and provides sanitary products for schoolgirls and women in the labor market. The production of sanitary products creates jobs for vulnerable women, ensuring safe working conditions, training and income. Recently, the organization provided 800 pads to orphans in Uganda, addressing period poverty by helping girls remain in school and women stay in the workforce. This women-led solution helps break the cycle of period poverty and empowers girls and women to take control of their lives. Furthermore, through job security, stable income and access to education, they are able to reach their full potential.

Mulatsi Church of Uganda

Mulatsi Church partnered with Compassion Church after the approval of funding for menstrual hygiene interventions. Educating communities about the importance of menstrual hygiene and teaching how to make reusable products became their immediate call to action. Women and men, including parents, local leaders, children and students from three local schools, completed training. Afterward, they were asked to train others, allowing the movement to grow quickly and spread awareness. Through this effort, “48 churches are educating 4,800 adolescent girls and boys.” This women-led initiative also helped challenge men’s attitudes toward menstruation and feminine hygiene, leading many to become active participants in the fight to end period poverty.

Going Forward

All three women-led initiatives play vital roles in reducing period poverty in Uganda. Community support drives these projects, helping break the cycle and empower women from a young age through adulthood. Furthermore, increased awareness and safe spaces allow women and men to dismantle the stigma around menstruation. More girls and women can access sanitary products, remain in education and the workforce and care for their bodies in a safe, informed and hygienic way.

– Jule Riemenschneider

Jule is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Invisible Impact of Menstrual Poverty in India

menstrual poverty in india
In India, menstruation is more than a biological process. According to the National Library of Medicine (NIH), girls’ health and education are foundational to a country’s development and essential for their full participation in political, economic and cultural life. According to UJAAS, “Period poverty is the lack of access to menstrual products, hygienic sanitation, and period education among women. It is one of the most critical issues faced by women in India.”

Causes of Menstrual Poverty in India

According to UJAAS, one of the most significant causes of menstrual poverty is the stereotypes that surround menstruation. When individuals bring up the topic of a period, the conversation is essentially hushed. The silence surrounding the topic of menstruation has been normalized, according to UJAAS. This causes women to be ashamed and can result in worsening problems.

Additionally, according to UJAAS, there is poor period awareness in India. Talking about menstruation is considered “taboo,” according to India Today. It can be associated with many myths, causing women to think that periods are impure or dirty.

School Dropout Increasing

Menstrual poverty impacts education in India. According to India Today, a lack of access to affordable sanitary products, clean bathrooms and menstrual education can cause many girls to miss school or drop out entirely. According to India Today, 60% of women in India do not attend school during their menstrual cycle.

In many schools, the lack of proper sanitation exacerbates the issue. India Today reports that 15,000 schools in India do not have functional toilets, and in some cases, girls must share toilets with boys or use stalls without doors, leaving them with no safe or private space to manage their periods. Without disposal systems, girls often skip school during menstruation out of fear, shame, or discomfort.

Furthermore, the New Indian Express reports that one in five girls in India drop out of school once they start menstruating. This is mostly because there is not only no menstrual education but also no access to sanitary products inside schools.

Additionally, research from Iwa Publishing shows that girls who go to school on their period have a higher chance of better academic performance. The odds are 14.82 times higher of this when compared to those who do not attend school on their periods.

Menstrual Poverty and Illness in India

According to Save the Child Foundation, menstrual poverty can cause an increased rate of sickness and can sometimes be fatal. When there is little to no access to the products needed, a lack of medical care and poor hygiene, diseases are more likely to occur.

Oftentimes, according to Save the Child Foundation, diseases such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other common infections can be fatal. In India, malnutrition is also a severe issue that can impact the health of women during their periods heavily.

In rural India, many women depend on unsafe feminine hygiene products such as rags, hay, sand or ash, according to UJAAS. Along with UTIs, infections such as rashes or bleeding can also be present.

Adding to the health risks is the widespread lack of medical support. According to the Deccan Herald, 91.7% of women do not seek medical help for menstrual health issues due to the lack of female doctors.

According to NIH, a 2024 study surveyed 6,715 girls across 16 states and found that only 14.3% sought treatment from health professionals.

Additionally, the International Journal of Community Medicine & Public Health reported that 62% of participants exhibited RTI symptoms like lower abdominal pain and painful urination, reflecting emerging reproductive morbidity from poor menstrual hygiene.

Solutions in Action

In November 2024, the Union Health Ministry approved the Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School-Going Girls. According to NDTV, this mandates free sanitary pads and hygiene kits for female students in government and aided schools nationwide.

According to NDTV, this policy, formally approved on November 2, 2024, also includes provisions for separate girls’ toilets and safe disposal systems. This marks a major push to normalize menstrual hygiene in schools and ensure dignity in uninterrupted education for adolescent girls.

In Madhya Pradesh, grassroots social enterprises like Saukhyam are advancing sustainable menstrual health through reusable, cloth-based pads made from banana fiber, according to Amma.

The Saukhyam Reusable Pads project, under Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Math’s Amrita SeRVe initiative, has reached more than 500,000 women and girls, according to Amma. This eliminated thousands of menstrual waste and received recognition like the Women Transforming India Award from NITI Aayog.

According to The Pioneer, these eco-friendly pads can last up to three years and have gained interest in more than 500,000 individuals in India as well as internationally. They also foster both environmental sustainability and cost-efficiency for users.

The Future

The Uttar Pradesh government, with the support from UNICEF, has launched the Swachh Garima campaign across 746 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, according to the Free Press Journal. This initiative equips adolescent girls with scientific menstrual education, nutrition guidance and communication rights.

According to the Free Press Journal, specially trained female teachers deliver interactive lessons and involve parents. This aims to dismantle stigma and reinforce school attendance.

These efforts demonstrate a growing commitment to improving menstrual health management, supporting girls’ education, and breaking the cycle of poverty linked to menstruation stigma.

– Clarissa Dean

Clarissa is based in Bowling Green, KY, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Period Poverty: Jameela Jamil’s partnership with Always

Jamil’s partnership with AlwaysJameela Jamil is an actress, activist and advocate for gender equality. Known for her role in The Good Place, she has built a reputation for using her platform to challenge societal norms and uplift marginalized voices. Recently, Jamil partnered with Always to fight period poverty—a widespread issue that prevents millions of girls and women from accessing menstrual products. Together, they launched initiatives that deliver menstrual products to underserved communities and advocate for systemic solutions through policy and education.

Understanding Period Poverty

Every month, more than 2 billion people around the world menstruate. Menstruation – or period – is a natural and healthy process, yet millions of women and girls cannot afford menstrual products or access to safe water and sanitation to manage their menstrual health and hygiene. In many low-income countries, period poverty forces girls to miss school and prevents women from accessing work opportunities. It also sustains stigma surrounding menstruation. This lack of access leads to health complications from unhygienic alternatives and causes long-term economic setbacks for women who cannot fully participate in society.

Role in Advocacy

Jamil has consistently used her voice to spotlight overlooked issues, including menstrual health. Through social media and public appearances, she highlights the hidden struggle of period poverty and stresses the need to treat menstrual care as a basic human right. Her advocacy frames period poverty not just as a product-access issue, but as a symptom of deeper systemic gender inequality. By confronting stigmas and encouraging open dialogue, Jamil helps normalize conversations about menstruation.

Jamil’s Partnership with Always

In partnership with Always, Jamil has helped distribute more than 1 million sanitary pads to girls in underserved communities across Africa, South Asia and Latin America. This effort ensures that fewer girls miss school due to menstruation. The partnership not only delivers immediate relief but also raises global awareness about menstrual equity.

Jamil also pushes for policy reforms to tackle period poverty at the systemic level. She advocates for menstrual equity laws that guarantee free access to sanitary products in schools and public institutions. Countries like Scotland have already passed such laws and Jamil encourages others to follow their lead. Public education campaigns and government-supported programs remain critical to building sustainable change.

Stories from Girls Impacted by Period Poverty

Jamil’s work also amplifies the voices of girls who have lived through period poverty. Many of them have shared how access to menstrual products helped them stay in school, pursue their goals and rebuild their confidence. Their experiences underscore a key truth: when girls receive the resources they need, they gain the power to strengthen their communities and economies.

Looking Ahead

While Jameela Jamil’s partnership with Always has made significant strides, millions of girls and women still face barriers due to menstruation. By supporting grassroots efforts, sharing information and pushing governments to prioritize menstrual health, the global community could help end period poverty for good.

– Divya Beeram

Divya is based in San Antonio, TX, USA and focuses on Technology and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Education Programs Fighting Period Poverty in Cuba

Period Poverty in CubaEstimates indicate that around 500 million women and girls suffer from period poverty globally. This has been acutely apparent in Latin America; a quarter of school-aged girls did not attend classes in Brazil during their periods due to a lack of sanitary products. Similarly, a study conducted in 2021 revealed that about 20% of “girls in rural Dominican Republic missed two to three school days each month during menstruation due to lack of access to sanitary pads.”

However, many Latin American states have made significant progress, with value-added tax (VAT) and “pink taxes” being eliminated in countries like Mexico and Colombia. Further, governments in Uruguay and Brazil are distributing menstrual kits and free sanitary products to those in need.

Period Poverty in Cuba

Cuba has no menstrual taxes. However, this does not mean female hygiene products are widely accessible. Period pads or “intimates” as they are called in Cuba, are included in the state rationing program. A monthly allocation of 10 sanitary towels is given to females ages between 10 and 55. This is often insufficient. Period pads tend to be the preferred period product for Cuban women; thus, low national production rates and high import prices on the black-market spell trouble for people who menstruate.

Additionally, access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in Cuba contributes to this period of poverty. Oftentimes, women and people who menstruate are not able to maintain good levels of personal hygiene during their periods and do not have enough sanitary products. Water shortages and scarcity are common in Cuba, with outdated sanitation systems and corroded pipes causing water losses of 60% of supply. Around 27% of households “only receive water less than four days a week,” while 40% “receive it between four and six days.” Most Cubans do not have access to a reliable water supply in their homes.

In the wake of this acute lack of access and worsening period poverty in Cuba, as well as government silence over the issue, many education programs fighting period poverty have been launched. The focus of this has been on giving participants the skills and advice they need to overcome the barriers they face during their periods and end the shame surrounding menstruation.

Copas Para Cuba Initiative

Copas Para Cuba or Cups for Cuba was set up by La Mina and Tercer Paraíso as part of an international project to promote sustainable development initiatives. This scheme organized menstrual health workshops to combat shame around periods and the lack of knowledge surrounding the use of menstrual cups, highlighting the benefits of using them over more traditional sanitary products. There is also a great emphasis on emotional, physical and reproductive health, with these workshops providing an inclusive and safe environment for women to come together and have an open dialogue.

Free menstrual cups are distributed during these sessions, which help widen access to these costly products in Cuba. Since the launch of Copas Para Cuba in 2021, 37 women have become ambassadors for the initiative, “70 gatherings have been organized and roughly 1,300 cups have been delivered to women and girls.” This will have a significant impact on improving period poverty on the island, with thousands of women now having access to a period product that is reliable, safe and hygienic.

This initiative will also help reduce low school attendance among menstruating girls, as many will now feel secure attending school during their periods. This is an excellent example of an education program addressing period poverty in Cuba. It combines educational workshops, the distribution of period products and female empowerment to create a successful, multifaceted approach to a complex social issue.

Cuba Positive Periods Program

The Cuba Positive Periods Program or Iniciativa Duenas was organized by the Steve Sinnott Foundation and led by Norma Guillard, Naima Guillard and Rosaida Ochoa Soto. This scheme aims to train Cuban women to make their own reusable, long-lasting and sustainable period pads. This initiative was conducted online and women from various political and interest groups participated. It “facilitated a space for conversations about how to make their reusable period pads and menstrual health for young people.”

The project also emphasized the benefits of these products for older adults, especially those recovering from surgery or with bladder issues. Much of this learning took place through WhatsApp, harnessing the power of technology to reach a wider audience. Given the restricted access and fluctuating availability of disposable sanitary towels in Cuba, arming those who menstruate with the skills to be able to make their own is another novel strategy to reduce the impacts of period poverty.

Care International Workshops

Similarly, Care International organizes workshops to answer questions and queries about using menstrual cups, hoping the participants would share this information with thousands of other women after the meetings. It encourages using sustainable, reusable female hygiene products, menstrual cups, period underwear and reusable pads. Great emphasis is placed on respect for women, how all bodies are different and how this influences the suitability of certain period products for some people.

Recently, 100 women leaders and activists met in one of CARE International’s workshops in Matanzas and Pinar del Río provinces. By emphasizing the importance of grassroots organizations, “CARE is helping to increase women’s participation in different social spaces and promote respect for the rights of women and minorities.”

Conclusion

Education programs fighting period poverty are a very effective tool in Cuba, where period products are scarce, rationed and very expensive on the black market. Novel approaches are necessary so that people who menstruate can continue to live as usual while maintaining good personal hygiene. Movements and initiatives like Copas Para Cuba, Iniciativa Duenas and Care International workshops have opened Cubans’ minds to alternative approaches and made more sustainable and reliable products like menstrual cups more accessible.

They have effectively attempted to tape over the gaping holes left by the public health service’s refusal to address the issue of period poverty. However, there is still much left to do. Government-level support could significantly address this issue at a structural level. Such aid could prevent poor school attendance among girls during their periods and improve personal hygiene, especially during water shortages.

– Ciara Howard

Ciara is based in Brighton, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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KujaEcoPads: Sustainable Solution to Period Poverty in Cameroon

Period Poverty in CameroonIn Cameroon, 70% of women and girls lack access to sanitary products, illustrating the prevalence of period poverty across the country. This is largely driven by affordability, exacerbated by the rising costs of menstrual products across Africa. In Cameroon, a pack of disposable sanitary pads costs around 600 Central African Francs ($0.99), a prohibitive price for the 52% of Cameroonian women who live below the poverty line at $2.15 a day.

This forces many women and girls no choice but to rely on “rags, newspaper and leaves” to manage their periods. These methods compromise women’s health and dignity. Marie Claire addresses this crisis by creating Cameroon’s first biodegradable and affordable sanitary pad through her social enterprise KujaEcopads. The sanitary pads are not only sustainably manufactured and produced but also free from harmful substances for girls and the environment.

Period Poverty in Cameroon

In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for menstrual health to be globally recognized as a matter of human rights rather than solely a hygiene issue. Inadequate access to sanitary products not only affects women’s health but also exacerbates existing gender inequalities, acting as a barrier to education, economic opportunities and dignity for many women and girls.

In Cameroon, period poverty has a severe impact on educational outcomes: 70% of women and girls in Cameroon are illiterate, often due to missing school while on their period. According to menstrual rights activist and founder of KujaEcopads, Claire, “girls skip three to five days of school a month” because of their period. Eventually, they “drop out, which perpetuates a cycle of early forced marriages, early pregnancies, prostitution, illiteracy, poverty and shame.”

Refugee Camps in Cameroon

Period poverty in Cameroon is intensified by its ongoing humanitarian challenges. Currently, nine out of 10 regions in Cameroon face complex and separate refugee crises. There is an influx of Central African refugees in the East and internally displaced people in the North due to climate-related conflict. According to the United Nations High Commission For Refugees (UNHCR), Cameroon hosts two million internally displaced people and refugees.

As a result, period poverty is particularly prevalent among refugees in Cameroon. According to a study by U.N. Women, these women face unique barriers when menstruating due to insufficient water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure in Cameroonian camps. Not only is it more difficult to manage menstruation in refugee camps, it can also be dangerous. The study highlighted how many toilets in the camps were not separated by sex and did not have adequate locks or lighting at night. This left 99% of women in these camps feeling unsafe while using sanitation facilities, making them more vulnerable to sexual assault.

KujaEcopads: Reducing Period Poverty One Pad at a Time

KujaEcopads provides Cameroon’s first biodegradable sanitary pad, costing half the price of a typical sanitary pad. The pads are produced from fibers of banana stems, which are cheap, natural and abundant resources in Cameroon. This innovation directly addresses the unique challenges faced by refugee women in Cameroon.

In camps with inadequate washing and sanitation facilities, two-thirds of used pads are disposed of in rivers, causing environmental harm. Refugee women also struggle to use reusable pads, often donated by charities, because they cannot wash and sterilize them safely. Consequently, KujaEcopads solves these issues by creating disposable and biodegradable pads, ensuring safe and ecofriendly disposal.

Social Entrepreneurship and Period Poverty in Cameroon

Crucially, KujaEcoPads operates as a sustainable social enterprise. The organization ensures women have affordable access to sanitary products rather than relying on charity donations. “I knew if we could get people to buy our pads and continue to buy our pads, we could sustain the giving and that will solve the problem of period poverty in Cameroon,” explains Claire. This makes the enterprise self-sustaining, with 100 low-income women manufacturing and producing the pads locally in Cameroon, creating jobs and empowering communities.

Conclusion

KujaEcopads currently provides its biodegradable pads to one million girls across Cameroon. By combining innovation, sustainability and community empowerment, KujaEcoPads significantly alleviates period poverty in Cameroon.

– Georgia Wells

Georgia Wells is based in London and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Organizations Advancing Menstrual Health Awareness in Pakistan

Menstrual Health Awareness in PakistanPeriod poverty is an ongoing global issue that prohibits millions of girls and women from living their daily lives. Limited access to sanitary products, clean water and sanitation means women, especially those living in developing countries, struggle with their menstrual health and personal hygiene. The impact of this is damaging as it keeps many girls and women from attending school or work.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.5 billion people worldwide are still deprived of access to basic sanitation facilities. Period poverty also arises from the lack of education and proper awareness of one’s menstrual health. Even today, many girls only come to know about menstruation once they experience it. That said, here are three organizations improving menstrual health awareness in Pakistan, as well as equipping them with the tools they need.

HER

HER is a women-headed organization focusing on creating lifelong social change by supporting communities to overcome the menstrual-related obstructions they face. It does this by delivering educational programs such as the “School Puberty Education Program,” which is aimed at educating and providing training to parents and teachers. Hence, they are aware of puberty changes and can create safe spaces for their children.

“Oh my period” is a group run by the organization which allows girls and women to openly talk about everything related to menstruation and provides the opportunity for young people to learn from one another’s experiences. HER also encourages policy change, hoping to end poverty and reduce the stigma around menstruation by advocating for menstrual equity. The organization has served 38,000 periods, impacting more than 110,000 people.

Santex

Santex is a well-known pioneer in the personal hygiene brand. Founded in 1983, it began as a family-led business focusing on providing a healthy lifestyle for everyone, irrespective of their socioeconomic background. It aims to develop innovative and unique sanitary products to serve women from all corners of Pakistan. One of its leading products, “Butterfly” sanitary pads, was the first “stick-on” menstruation product in Pakistan. In Santex’s own words, it is “the only company to introduce breathable sanitary napkins and panty liners in Pakistan that allows women to breeze through puberty and periods.”

The organization aims to remove taboos relating to menstruation and raise awareness about personal hygiene. In 2022, Santex joined hands with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to continue the discussion of period poverty and barriers women face due to a lack of menstrual health awareness. Both organizations have committed to developing innovative research that will provide high-quality and safe menstrual products for women. Santex has served more than one million periods and trained 184,867 women regarding menstrual health.

Aahung

Aahung, a nonprofit organization founded in Karachi in 1995, aims to spread awareness and improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of women, men and youths across Pakistan. The organization focuses on empowering and educating young girls and women about their reproductive health rights. This is achieved by disseminating information and ensuring high-quality access to health care facilities. Aahung collaborates with educational institutions and workplace structures to deliver training to people through its various programs.

In 2022, the organization reached 73,645 people, trained 75 schoolteachers and held 40 training sessions to educate parents about SRHR. When catastrophic floods hit Sindh in 2022, Aahung worked to ensure young girls and women facing menstrual issues during the crisis were not abandoned. The organization distributed 300 menstrual kits containing essential sanitary products, soap and other personal hygiene items. It also held informational sessions where women could openly discuss menstruation-related issues and receive needed support.

Final Thoughts

The stigma around a woman’s period remains widespread and is a primary cause of period poverty in developing nations. However, the organizations mentioned above are making significant progress in reducing the taboo surrounding women’s bodies and health. Their work will continue to improve menstrual health awareness in Pakistan, to the benefit of many women across the country.

– Aleena Shahid

Aleena is based in Bradford, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr