CHARITY
Women's Health
In addition to our work with children, we were committed to empowering the women of the community through women’s health education workshops on menstrual health management. In a region where most families struggle to get by on $1 a day, the menstrual health needs of young girls and women are frequently overlooked and are a key contributing factor to the higher school drop-out rates among girls. We aimed to help break down the barriers that menstruation can create for women by providing general menstrual health education and various techniques they can employ to manage menstrual pain.
Additionally, we wanted to provide them with reusable products to effectively manage their menstruation in a sustainable way. We purchased materials and worked with the tailoring team to create reusable sanitary pads, which could be incorporated into the Innovation Scholars’ training to support their own pursuit of future business ventures; and hopefully be knowledge and skills that they share to empower other Ugandan women to help them manage their menstrual health so they can pursue their own goals. Furthermore, ND ‘24 graduate, Renee Maslak, collaborated with St. Bakhita’s staff member, Vicky Kyozaire, and presented to the Innovation Scholars, Fellows (recent St. Bakhita’s graduates who have been retained for hands-on training as they work in businesses within the St. Bakhita ecosystem), and women from the community on menstrual cups. We felt it was important to give them choice in the menstrual product they were given, rather than to impose something new on them if they were not comfortable using it.
In a region where most families struggle to get by on $1 a day, the menstrual health needs of young girls and women are frequently overlooked and are a key contributing factor to the higher school drop-out rates among girls.
We received an overwhelming interest from the students’ and community members’ in the menstrual cups that would be sent with the ND team coming a few weeks later. This menstrual product can last up to ten years, which saves these women money and stress from having to buy disposable menstrual pads each month. Since the July team handed out 70 of the 75 menstrual cups, we have received positive feedback from a handful of students. Most notably, a student enthusiastically told her family about the menstrual cup she was given and said she does not need money for disposable pads anymore! This year, we are focused on incorporating menstrual health management and other women’s health topics into a larger women’s empowerment program for St. Bakhita’s students and the Kalongo community.
Meet the Team Leading the Project
