Menstrual hygiene day: 54 reusable pads for girls and young mothers
MASYAP’s menstrual hygiene event highlighted period poverty, which keeps many Malawian girls out of school, and gave reusable pads to girls and young mothers.
Menstruation is a natural part of life for women and girls. Meeting menstrual needs is central to the human right to safe water and sanitation: a woman does not truly have access to a toilet if she has to avoid it during her period.
MASYAP held its menstrual hygiene event on 28 August 2023 under the theme “Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030”. The day highlighted the importance of menstrual care and the problems faced by those without sanitary products. Everyone who menstruates needs access to sanitary products, safe and hygienic places to use them, and the right to manage their period without shame or stigma.
Period poverty
Period poverty means not being able to afford basic items such as sanitary pads, soap and underwear, having no access to toilets and running water, and lacking basic knowledge about menstruation. Many girls in Malawi experience it. They stay home from school during their periods, fall behind, and too often drop out altogether.
Our response
To help keep girls in school, MASYAP, through the Threads of Care project with World Care Foundation, gave 54 reusable sanitary pads to the girls and young mothers who attended.
