Donate pads, protect her future in DR Congo

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), communities continue to face the consequences of poverty, conflict, social exclusion, and limited access to basic services. Against this challenging backdrop, our project brings together two complementary priorities: strengthening inclusive social dialogue and protecting girls’ dignity and education through access to reusable menstrual hygiene products. The first component positions neutral civil society organizations as trusted “custodians of dialogue,” helping communities follow up on resolutions emerging from national consultations and ensuring that dialogue leads to concrete action rather than fatigue. Women’s organizations and youth movements will be encouraged to move beyond participation as observers and take an active role in shaping decisions that affect their communities and the country’s future.

The second component, Donate Pads, Protect Her Future, responds to period poverty, which remains a major but often overlooked barrier to girls’ education. Many families living in extreme poverty cannot afford menstrual hygiene products, while inadequate sanitation facilities and persistent stigma can force girls to miss several days of school during their periods. Through the distribution of reusable sanitary pads, hygiene education, and awareness activities, the project aims to reduce the financial burden on families, improve menstrual health and dignity, and help girls remain in school throughout the month. At present, the project is in its preparation phase. We are identifying qualified trainers and potential learners and preparing the implementation framework, with the project scheduled to begin in November 2025. No project funds have yet been raised or spent: to date, $0 of the $85,000 target has been secured. This transparency reflects our commitment to responsible stewardship and to ensuring that every contribution is mobilized toward clearly defined humanitarian and community-development outcomes.

Our goal is not simply to distribute materials or organize dialogue sessions; it is to create lasting opportunities for people who are too often excluded from decisions about their own lives. We expect the project to contribute to stronger community participation, greater inclusion of women and young people, improved menstrual hygiene, reduced school absenteeism among girls, and increased confidence and dignity among beneficiaries. The partnership with GlobalGiving represents an important opportunity to connect this locally driven initiative with a wider community of international donors. With the support of GlobalGiving and generous partners around the world, we believe we can move from preparation to implementation and mobilize the resources needed to reach our $85,000 fundraising goal.

We sincerely thank GlobalGiving and every donor who chooses to stand with communities in the DRC. Your support can help a girl attend school without fear, help a young person have a meaningful voice in community decisions, and help civil society turn dialogue into practical action. We invite individuals, foundations, companies, and humanitarian partners to join us in making this project possible. Every contribution matters. Together, we can protect girls’ futures, strengthen inclusive dialogue, restore dignity, and build stronger communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.