Archive for category: Women

Information and news about woman issues

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Reducing Maternal Mortality in Nigeria: The Abiye Project

Reducing Maternal Mortality in NigeriaNigeria has around 2% of the world’s population, but accounts for nearly 10% of global maternal deaths. In 2008, the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) identified Ondo State in southwestern Nigeria as one of the country’s most affected regions. At that time, Ondo State’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) stood at 765 deaths per 100,000 live births.

In response to these shocking statistics, the Ondo State government launched the Abiye Project, meaning “Safe Motherhood,” in 2009. This program has become a pioneering initiative for reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria. The project is reducing maternal deaths by overhauling health care infrastructure, developing community-based services and eliminating financial barriers to maternal care.

Addressing the Four Delays

The Abiye Project was built around addressing the four leading delays responsible for the high rate of maternal deaths in the state:

  • Delays in patients recognizing danger signs and deciding to seek care.
  • Delays in reaching health facilities due to poor infrastructure, unreliable communication channels and lack of access to transport.
  • Delays in accessing proper care due to substandard facilities.
  • Delays in referrals to appropriate services in cases of complications or emergencies.

Before the implementation of the program, these delays had a devastating impact: only 16% of women registered at health facilities ended up delivering there, opting instead for far riskier home births.

The Abiye Project Strategies

  • Community Health Workers (Health Rangers). Health rangers are mobile health workers trained in basic obstetric care, intensive care and family planning support. Each ranger monitors the health of 25 pregnant women in their community, performing regular home visits and checkups.
  • Toll-Free Cellphones. The project provided these to every registered pregnant woman. It ensured free communication with health rangers, other pregnant women and emergency services.
  • A New and Improved Transport Fleet. It also provided a fleet of new ambulances suitable for multiple environments. They included motorcycles and speedboats, ensuring reliable transport is available so all pregnant women can access care safely and efficiently.
  • Facility and Staffing Improvements. It increased the number of Mother and Child Hospitals from two to seven. The government now trains all birth attendants in emergency obstetric and newborn care. It ensures every hospital and clinic is stocked with essential medical supplies.
  • Free Maternal Health Care. It made access to all services related to motherhood and childbirth free of charge at all government hospitals and clinics.

Impact on Maternal Health and Poverty

The results of the Abiye program were both rapid and transformative. Within its first year, antenatal registration surged by an astounding 1,855%, while facility-based deliveries increased by 1,602%.

By 2016, Ondo State’s MMR had dropped to 112 per 100,000, an 84.9% reduction within five years of the project’s inception. This achievement demonstrates how the program’s localized, person-centred strategies are invaluable for reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria.

The Abiye Project also had an impact on poverty levels. In 2022, Ondo State had the lowest poverty level in Nigeria, with around 27% of the population living in poverty, compared to the national average of 63%. These results demonstrate the capabilities of the project’s approach for not only saving lives but also improving the economic stability for all.

Conclusion

The Abiye Project is a powerful case study of how strategic health care interventions and a community-based approach can save lives and reduce poverty. By tackling the four key systemic causes of maternal deaths, it has set a new standard for reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria and beyond.

The project has earned recognition from the World Bank and UNICEF as a model for reform. With the project’s methods continuing to be adapted, the Abiye model has become a flagship in reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria, with the potential to revolutionize maternal care across developing countries.

– Reuben Avis-Anciano

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

Photo: Unsplash

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WHO Advocates Progress for Syrian Women’s Health

Syrian Women’s HealthWith more than 6 million women in need of health support in Syria and ongoing challenges like gender-based health care discrimination, political bias and social inequality, the World Health Organization (WHO) has taken meaningful steps to improve Syrian women’s health. These efforts include mental and physical support for survivors of gender-based violence, health education and the promotion of women’s rights through a more inclusive, mainstream health care network.

Gender-Biased Laws Upon Women in Syria

Extremist groups Jabhat al-Nusra, Islamic State of Iraq and Sham have imposed strict gender-biased laws upon women in Syria. Women have unlawfully become required to wear hijabs and full-length robes and threatened if they do not comply, according to Human Rights Watch. Failure to conform leads to misogynistically charged discrimination, barring girls from attending schools, moving freely in public and working.

Since the onset of the Syrian Civil War and its backlash effects on women, the WHO has championed programs in Syrian women’s health care that offer rehabilitation and education services alongside their advocacy for systemic changes. Since 2018, the WHO has institutionalized routine care for victims of gender-based violence.

Syria’s Health Care System

The prolonged conflict has desecrated approximately half the health care infrastructure in Syria, resulting in a shortage of medicine, facilities, health workers and equipment. More than 100 health facilities in northwest Syria have sustained severe damage and a loss of complete funding. More than 15.9 million people are left in need of health support, including 257,000 pregnant women, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF).

With women making up nearly 50% of Syria’s population and the majority of those displaced in refugee camps, the WHO has launched targeted programs to address their health needs. According to the WHO, these initiatives ensure that “every woman enjoys her right to the highest attainable standard of health.”

Advancing Gender Equality in Syria’s Health System

The WHO base in Syria has “mainstreamed gender equality in its programming.” It assures women the highest standard of care through pregnancy, birth, violence and discrimination. By educating women on how to make informed decisions about their health care, the Syria-based program has made meaningful progress in preventing the rise of mental health issues and gender-based violence.

These efforts empower women with knowledge, helping them protect their well-being and advocate for their rights in a challenging environment. The organization provides essential psychosocial treatments to aid in women’s mental and physical health after facing gender-based violence. According to the WHO team in Syria, these services have been implemented in health facilities around Syria.

The fertility rate in Syria was reported by the WHO at 2.7% per woman in 2021, a reduction from 3.4% recorded in 2010. In light of this, reproductive health care in Syria has been threatened by unjust rulings. The WHO and UNPF support hospitals in northeast Syria by providing natural and c-section births, family planning, nursing and how-to care.

Looking Forward

“As we continue supporting gender mainstreaming in the health sector through research, policy formulation and capacity-building, we draw our inspiration and strength from the women of Syria, who, together with other members of society, drive gender transformative changes in achieving universal health coverage and health for all,” the WHO said.

– Chloe Fox Rinka

Chloe is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health 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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5 Initiatives Fighting Poverty in Uzbekistan

Poverty in UzbekistanThe Uzbek government continues to report progress in tackling poverty in the country. Over the past decade, the Central Asian nation has created new initiatives to improve living standards. According to World Bank estimates, poverty in Uzbekistan has reduced from 36% in 2015 to 17% in 2022. Poverty limits access to education, health care and job security, leading to inadequate housing and starvation. Here are five initiatives tackling poverty in Uzbekistan.

1. Tailored Social Support: “Assistant to the Hokim”

The main strategy to tackle poverty in Uzbekistan is the “Assistant to the Hokim” initiative. Trained representatives are put in every neighborhood to identify and support families that are struggling. Launched in 2021, these assistants are empowered to assess needs, connect people with government services and propose customized solutions. The organization does not just hand out aid, it also finds the causes of poverty for each family and works to support them.

So far, the program has improved 35 million people’s income level. For families lacking work, assistants can arrange job interviews or training. The program also provides support to those who do not have housing by helping them secure land or subsidies. The program works locally so every community can receive help.

2. Giving Rural Families a Stake

Uzbekistan’s government has launched an initiative to distribute unused land that the state owns to low-income families for agricultural purposes. The initiative recognizes that land is one of the most valuable assets in rural economies. Since 2020, the government has allocated more than 260,000 hectares of land to 800,000 residents, providing them with opportunities to engage in farming and generate income. It is a long-term investment in rural prosperity that breaks the cycle of seasonal or subsistence living. Farmers can take out loans to improve their production or upgrade equipment.

3. Women at the Centre

There have been efforts to tackle gender inequality. Women have had limited access to education and jobs, especially in rural areas. The government has created microfinance programs and vocational training tailored specifically for women to help address these issues. As of early 2023, women managed more than 39,000 small enterprises and micro-firms. These women-led businesses have shown remarkable growth, with a net income increase of nearly 9.2 trillion soums (more than $757 million) compared to the previous year. These programs provide women with the resources to support the growth of their businesses and contribute to the goal of tackling poverty.

4. Investing in Digital Skills for the Next Generation

Youth unemployment is a significant issue when it comes to poverty in central Asia. Therefore, the Uzbekistan government implemented the “Digital Uzbekistan 2030” strategy to promote digital literacy. The strategy has resulted in the training of thousands of young people who have been part of programs that develop skills in coding, graphic design and e-commerce. The programs are set up in rural areas where there has been an increase in internet access. The strategy aims not just to educate, but also to connect a generation to the global digital economy, setting young people up in careers that are of high value to the economy and supporting families in poverty.

5. Tax Breaks for Companies Hiring the Marginalized

Uzbekistan introduced tax incentives in 2023 for companies that hire people from low-income or vulnerable backgrounds. The incentives include underrepresented groups such as those who have been unemployed for a long time and the disabled.

Under the scheme, businesses can deduct a portion of their payroll taxes for every eligible worker they employ. These are not just temporary placements; most incentives apply only after employees complete a minimum tenure, encouraging companies to retain and develop talent over time.

Looking Ahead

In 2024, household income saw significant growth, with real income per capita increasing by 10.7%, reaching an average of 2.1 million UZS per month. The initiatives that the Uzbek government has led have proven successful in tackling poverty in Uzbekistan and will continue to support families across the country.

– James Harwood

James is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Digital Skills Training in Cameroon: Employment and Poverty

Digital Skills Training in CameroonUnemployment is a root cause of poverty worldwide, stripping individuals and families of the financial means to secure necessities. Unemployment perpetuates a cycle of poverty, where a lack of income limits opportunities for education, health care and economic mobility. For women, especially in developing countries like Cameroon, these challenges are compounded by systemic inequalities, including overrepresentation in informal jobs lacking protections like sick leave and safety nets against global economic shocks.

Unemployment, Women and Poverty in Cameroon

Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated unemployment, with women disproportionately affected due to caregiving responsibilities and job losses in sectors with high female participation. In 2020, the equivalent of 255 million full-time jobs were lost. This has particularly affected women, those in informal employment and those in developing nations. In Cameroon, women’s labor force participation has declined over the decades and they face a higher unemployment rate of 6.1% compared to 3.8% for men.

More than 80.5% of employed women are in vulnerable positions compared to 64% of men, meaning their work lacks the protections to shield them from economic shocks. Such systematic disparities heighten the risk of poverty for women in Cameroon. Limited access to education and societal biases further compound their challenges, narrowing their pathways to stable, high-quality employment.

Digital Skills Training in Cameroon: The Benefits

The digital economy offers a transformative opportunity to address unemployment and poverty among women in Cameroon. New pathways open up for secure employment in growing sectors like digital marketing, web development, content creation and data analysis by equipping women with digital skills. Unlike informal jobs, digital professions often provide flexible conditions, opportunities for self-employment and higher income security.

These jobs empower women economically and contribute to broader economic growth by tapping into an underutilized segment of the workforce. In Cameroon, the digital economy has steadily grown, contributing 3.5% to the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016, with even more tremendous potential for the future. However, women currently represent only 20% of digital workers, highlighting the need for targeted initiatives to bridge this gap.

Data Girl Technologies: Driving Change

Organizations like Data Girl Technologies are pivotal in this transformation. Dedicated to empowering women through digital skills training in Cameroon, Data Girl Technologies provides education and mentorship tailored to young African women. Through hands-on workshops and practical training, participants gain job-ready skills in programming, website design and digital marketing.

Data Girl Technologies creates pathways to overcome unemployment and vulnerable work by equipping women with these skills. These efforts enable women to achieve financial independence, pursue entrepreneurial ventures and contribute meaningfully to Cameroon’s economic growth.

Digital Training: A Catalyst for Poverty Reduction

Addressing unemployment among women through digital skills training in Cameroon has a cascading effect on poverty reduction. Digital professions reduce women’s vulnerability to economic shocks by providing access to secure, high-quality jobs. At the same time, the inclusion of women in the digital workforce fuels broader economic development, creating a virtuous cycle that benefits communities and the nation as a whole.

As policymakers and organizations like Data Girl Technologies continue to invest in women’s digital education, they are addressing immediate employment challenges and laying the groundwork for long-term poverty eradication. By closing the gender gap in digital professions, Cameroon can unlock the full potential of its workforce, ensuring a more inclusive and prosperous future.

– Sarah Maunsell

Sarah is based in Bristol, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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UNDP Support Women in Afghanistan Working in Small Businesses 

Women in AfghanistanThe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports international development sustainably and structurally, aiming to eradicate poverty and provide countries with knowledge and resources to foster development. The UNDP has focused its efforts on supporting women in Afghanistan through the current economic climate. The organization is supplying women with vocational skills and financial knowledge to boost female employment. Due to the Taliban Administration, the UNDP operates within areas where exceptions to the constraints on women apply or where locally informed solutions exist.

The Situation in Afghanistan

Since August 2021 the Afghan economy has been in decline. In 2022, the number of households not having income to meet basic necessities rose from 16% to 36%. Policies under the Taliban Administration have had an especially limiting impact on women in Afghanistan, with restrictions imposed on education and employment.

In response to the situation, the UNDP adapted its programs to an integrated local development effort – Area-Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives (ABADEI). To prevent further economic breakdown, this program applies solutions at a community-based level. Grants are provided to small businesses, with a focus on supporting female-run organizations. Maintaining these local economies supports keeping structure and purpose within Afghan communities. The funds are supplied from U.N. contributions, in combination with the “Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan.” This fund coordinates support from UNDP agencies and non-government organizations.

Supporting Women in Afghanistan

In their support of female-owned businesses, UNDP aims to reboot the Afghan economy by supporting job creation and basic social services. Applying a “women for women” approach, it supplies the financial and technical support to women required to create employment. The UNDP supported 8,728 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through in-kind and cash support, 49.2% of these were female-led, according to its website.

An area whereby the ABADEI programme has successfully implemented its goal is expanding community kitchens. Partnered with Care Afghanistan, these kitchens feed families and provide a source of income for those who work there.

Tamana Akbari

As a single mother, before these kitchens, Tamana Akbari had no source of income. In joining she has developed new relationships aiding in growing her confidence and social skills. The benefits are not just social, Tamana now has also fostered new culinary skills and is earning a salary of her own. She now acts as the sole breadwinner for her family.

Across five provinces there are a total of 47 community kitchens, these kitchens have provided 153,000 hot meals, feeding over 86,870 people. Organizations like these, foster social cohesion whilst also providing empowerment for women like Tamana, who prepare the meals. Fifteen female-run kitchens have supplied food for thousands. In Herat, alongside three men, 147 women distributed 2,200 free meals a day.

Local communities have embraced this initiative, and supported by UNDP’s ABADEI program, women in Afghanistan are being inspired to start similar projects of their own.

– Amelia Short

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

Photo: Flickr

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Shedding Light on Period Poverty in Rwanda

Period Poverty in RwandaAccording to the U.N. Women, period poverty is “the inability to afford and access menstrual products, sanitation and hygiene facilities and education.” Period products range from tampons to painkillers to heating pads. In Rwanda, period poverty affects an estimated 18% of the female population.

Alternative Materials: The Risk

Without access to menstrual products, many women use alternative materials (e.g. newspaper), and for longer than the recommended three hours per pad/tampon, increasing “the risk of infection such as urinary tract infection and bacterial vaginosis.” However, period poverty in Rwanda needs a solution because of more than sanitation issues. Due to their periods, the 18% of girls impacted have no choice but to stay home from school, missing four to seven days a month. This, in turn, hinders their chances of securing a job once they graduate, according to Together Women Rise.

Menstrual products are no different, nor less crucial, than toothbrushes, deodorant and vaccines, but are severely undermined as a streamlined necessity.

Stigma and Accessibility

Menstruation is often a taboo topic for some people. Whether due to cultural standards or general omission from the discussion, this has led to “characterizing the menstruating bodies as abnormal or abject.” As a result, problems relating to menstruation are rarely topics of discussion either, including period poverty in Rwanda. Furthermore, women who need to find these products cannot ask their peers, as menstrual health comes with a stigma, hindering their access to pads and tampons as well.

For the small percentage of Rwandans who can access menstrual resources, their products remain largely unaffordable, as “a pack of sanitary pads costs…roughly a day’s wage for many women,” according to Together Women Rise. Note that sanitary pads and tampons are the most popular period products to buy.

The Good News

Menstrual stigma, as a worldwide hurdle, is slowly declining in the wake of various policies and advocacy efforts. The PLOS Global Public Health is taking recent strides toward making menstrual health a top priority. One policy regarding period poverty is “the Kenyan Policy for Menstrual Hygiene Management” whose primary focus is providing Kenyan schoolchildren with menstrual education. If successful, they plan to expand such policies to other countries.

Outside of awareness efforts, nonprofits are also beginning to include period kits as items to donate along with their international aid. Days for Girls, an organization whose donations only go toward period products, takes the stage as a top contender for ending period poverty. According to its 2022 report, the organization distributes period products to more than 294,000 individuals globally per year. Best yet, it has a history of efforts going to girls in Rwanda since 2015.

In manufacturing eco-friendly products, Days for Girls tackles all angles of period poverty in Rwanda. Like most developing countries, general sanitation is as much a problem as period poverty, so by limiting the number of pads that get discarded, they also reduce the amount of trash otherwise accumulating from menstruation.

Closing Words

Period poverty in Rwanda is a concurrent issue affecting many of the lives of girls and women there. Rwandans are struggling to afford these products, and hence, often skip school or use unsafe materials like socks and newspapers. The good news is that institutions are increasingly turning their attention to supplying sanitary pads and spreading overall awareness of menstrual health. In ending both the lack of access and stigma on periods, and giving period poverty the attention it deserves, Rwandan women will thrive knowing they don’t have to choose between education, their safety and health care.

– Nadia Haeryfar

Nadia is based in Ashford, CT, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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3 Ways Mothers Can Be Lifted Out of Poverty

MothersPoverty disproportionately affects women, particularly mothers. For instance, in 2017, 20% of women in the United Kingdom (U.K.) were living in poverty compared to 18% of men. Additionally, 90% of single mothers experience poverty. While the proportion of men facing poverty has decreased in recent years, the rate for women has remained stalled. Here are some of the ways mothers can be lifted out of poverty:

Better Provision for the Essential Living Costs

Governments can address poverty by improving support for essential living costs faced by families. By covering expenses for heating and electricity through targeted schemes for the most vulnerable, working families can make fewer sacrifices. Such programs would eliminate the difficulty of buying groceries and maintaining a warm home. This support would enable families to focus more on spending quality time with their children and provide mothers with much-needed respite.

Child Care Provisions

Child care provisions also provide a hopeful potential solution. High child care costs act as a key barrier for parents who work. Fees are an additional financial factor that particularly impacts lower-income parents during school holidays. Suppose countries can implement better universal child care provisions. In that case, the gap between accessibility for low- and high-income parents can be closed. Parents can focus on work and career progression, leading to better wages for their families. Children can interact with other children and develop their creativity and imagination. Creating these schemes will, therefore, benefit both the parents and the children. 

Turning to a success story, Sweden works as a model for other countries, providing hope that these solutions are attainable when put into practice. The “income packaging” approach to the welfare state adopted in Scandinavian countries promotes female involvement in the world of work. By providing children’s allowances, mothers can focus on work rather than entirely on ensuring that child care measures are in place. This enables greater career progression and mothers to work more hours rather than being confined to part-time roles due to child care commitments. 

Income Transfers and Support for Parents in Employment

Implementing schemes with more generous income transfers and support for working parents has effectively reduced poverty. In countries like the U.K., where social transfer systems are limited, support for vulnerable working families falls short, resulting in higher poverty rates. In contrast, Scandinavian countries provide more comprehensive support for single mothers. This targeted approach ensures that the assistance is more effective and beneficial. Additionally, the direct benefits can be assessed more efficiently, allowing for easier adjustments and improvements as needed.

Final Remark

The changes required to lift mothers and their children out of poverty are achievable. With a global commitment to supporting this group, effective tax redistribution and improved support schemes can help break the cycle of poverty. By implementing these measures, future generations of families can be lifted out of poverty and provided with greater opportunities for a better life.

   – Sarah Littleton

Sarah Littleton is based in London, U.K. and focuses on Good News, Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Making Space for Menstruation: Key to Girls’ Participation in School

Girls’ Participation in SchoolFor many girls and women, their first period is often accompanied by feelings of embarrassment, fear and even shame—emotions that are vividly remembered. These feelings, however, don’t fade with time but instead, continue to shape their experience of menstruation. The advent of this first period then, a moment supposedly marking the onset of womanhood, quickly becomes a monthly obstacle to education for many girls and women globally who must navigate a context in which their periods are shamed. To increase girls’ participation in school, addressing menstruation and dismantling the taboo surrounding it has to become part of the educational system. This is the focus of the Paris School of Economics (PSE) research project in Madagascar. The research aims to create space for menstruation in education and foster an environment where it is no longer stigmatized.

Periods as an Obstacle to Education

In Bangladesh, 32% of girls were unaware of what menstruation was before they got their first period. One in five girls in rural Ethiopia has no access to materials to manage their menstruation. With 1.5 billion people lacking basic sanitation facilities, many women and girls do not have a private space to menstruate. As a result of the period taboo, period poverty and the lack of hygiene facilities, many girls see their periods not as “a natural and healthy process” but as a significant interruption to everyday life. This interruption is felt most fully in the context of school.

Take the mundane and everyday experience of leaking. Accidental leaking is made all the more likely for girls in developing countries as a result of reduced access to materials to manage menstruation and extended journeys to school. The lack of sanitation and clean water facilities limits girls’ ability to deal with leaking in privacy. Finally, often left without support from family or teachers, girls can be subjected to ridicule from peers. It is clear to see how periods may dissuade girls from attending school. One in 10 girls in Africa will miss school when menstruating: 3-5 days every month of lost schooling.

In Madagascar, menstruation has been aptly identified as a lead cause of absenteeism for girls. In some cases, menstruation is also a catalyst for them dropping out altogether. This not only limits their future economic opportunities, drawing them away from the productive labor market, but also increases their risks of child marriage and pregnancy.

Talking Periods: Peer-To-Peer Conversation

Funded by the Fund for Innovation in Development (FID), the PSE is pursuing a research project with periods in mind: the “Young Girls Leaders” program. Its research goal is to determine whether promoting healthy and productive discussions between girls to reduce the stigma around menstruation at the forefront can increase girls’ participation in school. The program is being run in three districts in Amoron’i Mania, Madagascar. Between three and six girls will be chosen and educated in menstrual management. The girls will be encouraged to converse with their female peers without the discomfort that often accompanies these exchanges.

To determine the benefits of the Young Girls Leaders program, 70 schools will receive both the U.N. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) intervention and the Young Girls Leaders program. An additional 35 schools will only receive the WASH program. In comparison, another 35 schools will serve as a control group, receiving neither intervention. The research program predicts that healthy conversations surrounding periods will cause a “social norm shift.” Furthermore, when used with the WASH intervention, significantly increases the likelihood of girls staying in schools during their menstrual cycles.

Conclusion

The research conducted by the PSE is not focused on the direct implementation of long-term programs to address period poverty. Instead, it aims to produce evidence that can be used to develop broader, large-scale interventions globally, ensuring that girls remain in school while menstruating. By supporting this research, the FID highlights the importance of international funding in driving innovation with a development-centered outlook.

– Tilly Phillips

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

Photo: Flickr

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Action Against Period Poverty

Action Against Period PovertyA period is a natural part of any person with female anatomy’s life. It can be a constant financial burden for some since every month, a woman needs pads, tampons or other menstrual products. According to research done by PlushCare, a month’s supply of period products costs $7.30 in South Africa. While South Africa is not the most expensive, for those who experience a period but live in poverty, getting the necessary menstrual products can be difficult.

According to the United Nations (U.N.) Women, 62.7% of impoverished women live in sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa. For those women living in poverty, having something every month that costs money and time can impact their lives greatly. Finding menstrual products for these women is a big struggle. However, Tamara Magwashu is working to make that struggle easier.

Magwashu War Against Period Poverty

Magwashu has been dealing with period poverty since she was a little girl growing up in the Eastern Cape province. When she was a little girl, Magwashu would have to take a week off of school when she had her period because she only had old rags to use. This means that Magwashu lost 12 weeks of education every year, missing out on potentially crucial parts of her education.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), 30% of girls in South Africa did not attend school during their period. Growing up in poverty, Magwashu didn’t have full access to proper sanitary menstrual products and had to work to provide for herself and her family. Part of her income was put aside to buy sanitary pads rather than use the old rags. As time went on, Magwashu continued to work and eventually got a public relations degree from the University of Johannesburg.

Magwashu realized there was an issue involving young girls and access to period products. So, she decided to take action against period poverty and start a business focused on this issue. She faced many problems when trying to start this business, such as no bank wanting to give her a loan because she had no assets. Still, Magwashu persevered and launched Azosule in 2021. Azosule’s goal is to sell period products at an affordable price for those who need them and live in poverty.

Since starting the business, Magwashu has brought period products to many schools in her home area, providing products to last them six months. She works to expand her business to other schools and educate everyone on the reality of periods for impoverished women. Magwashu stated to BBC in 2023 that “Period poverty is not a women’s issue, it’s a societal issue.”

How Caity Cutter Was Inspired

Magwashu’s influence did not just end there; she inspired other young girls and women to take action against period poverty. Caity Cutter is one of those girls and, at just 12 years old, helped make a change in this societal issue. Cutter, who lives in Germany, was moved when she found out about period poverty in other countries. After reading about Magwashu, Cutter decided to do something to help. The young girl told her father about the issue and asked how they could help.

Her influence on her father pushed him to donate to Magwashu’s company. Michael Cutter saved up money from his job and made an overwhelming donation of 500,000 pads. Along with that, Magwashu stated that he made “further donations that went to us getting a warehouse and hiring staff to distribute the pads further.” This donation not only helps Azosule but also helps these young girls not have to miss school just because of their period.

– Tess Curran

Tess is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr