Pad_Up

In my many travels in-country I have had the pleasure of meeting many different families, students and young people all playing their part in building their communities. Of all the lessons i have learned, one statistic that disturbed me the most was the fact that the girl child still does not have access to good quality and affordable sanitary wear, a fact and reality that led me to research on this and based on the SNV Study on Menstrual Hygiene Management for School Girls, report,

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀

1. A significant number of girls of school going age miss classes during their period, (over 62% of girls surveyed reported missing school for up to two days per month due to menstruation, 28% for between two and four days and 10% for four days or more.)

2. For most of the girl child in the rural areas, only a handful have actually used commercial sanitary pads, (72% of girls reported never having used pads)

3. 45% of girls use old cloths, rags, 29% cotton wool, 3% newspapers and leaves,

4. 54% of girls in the study experienced mocking or stigmatization

5. 26% reported isolation, 13% reported being called names by boys

6. 52% of girls surveyed said schools did not offer specific lessons on menstrual hygiene management.

7. 40% indicated that lessons were left to class teachers, who often prove noncommittal to teaching about menstrual issues especially because 63% of these schools had male counselors, creating a barrier to girls obtaining the counselling and knowledge they need.

8. Girls reported that the materials they use cause discomfort, bruises and infections.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹

I propose the 300 000 Pad_UP Challenge,

1. Where using the most affordable good quality materials we produce re-usable, washable pads kit (a pack of 4 pads, some soap, instructions for use and safekeeping).

2. We engage local authorities to provide free sanitary wear at schools, and clinics

3. We partner with local initiatives/communities to train women and girls to produce their own washable, re-usable pads

4. In the most remote of areas, provide the most affordable disposable sanitary wear.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹

If you would like to collaborate in his initiative please, comment by saying Pad_UP and I will send you the detailed Concept Note. Since this is just an evolving idea, please feel free to suggest any improvements and possible ways to help us meet a target of delivering 300 000 packs of washable Sanitary Pads to the girl child.

May you also tag any friends, organizations, initiatives you think may be interested in such a campaign. Thank you so much.