EMPOWER 650 UGANDAN GIRLS TO CREATE MENSTRUAL PADS

REPORT FOR THE PERIOD:

OCTOBER 2025 TO JANUARY 2026

SUBMITTED TO GLOBALGIVING ACCELERATOR

BY REGINA N. MUHASA- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Building on several years of focused work in menstrual hygiene management, the programme has evolved to integrate additional livelihood skills aimed at improving the economic resilience of girls and women. While menstrual hygiene education remains a core component, it is now delivered alongside practical income-generating skills. During the reporting period, the project trained over 20 participants in the production of pillows, cushions, and reusable sanitary pads using locally available materials. This integrated approach enhances both health outcomes and sustainable livelihoods for the beneficiaries.

About Ravens Foundation (RAF)

Ravens Foundation (RAF) is an indigenous, community-based organization established in 2018 to advance transformational development among girls, women, and their communities. Based in Uganda, RAF focuses on empowering women and girls by addressing critical challenges related to menstrual hygiene management, education, health, and economic empowerment.

Vision: Fanning the Wisdom of Motherhood and the Nobility of Womanhood.

This vision reflects RAF’s belief in the inherent dignity, strength, and influence of women, particularly mothers as central pillars of family stability and community transformation.

Mission: To empower women and girls to manage personal hygiene with dignity while promoting health, education, and economic opportunities through counseling, skills training, and advocacy.

RAF seeks to achieve sustainable impact by equipping girls and women with practical tools, knowledge, and confidence to lead healthier and more empowered lives. Through the provision of reusable menstrual products, vocational skills training, and community outreach, the organization’s work is grounded in dignity, respect, and long-term social change.

Background

Motherhood is one of the most essential and influential callings in society, shaping the character and potential of individuals across all professions, including leadership, finance, faith, and education. Strong, nurturing mothers are foundational to the healthy development of families and communities.

In many low-income communities in Uganda and across Africa, women shoulder the primary responsibility for family survival. They face the dual burden of domestic care and subsistence farming, often with minimal support. Ravens Foundation is committed to empowering women and girls through practical, livelihood-focused skills that enable self-reliance and dignity. By equipping beneficiaries with knowledge and tools for income generation, the project strengthens households and contributes to the long-term resilience and wellbeing of the wider community.

Activities (October 2025 – January 2026)

As reported in the previous period, the project strengthened partnerships through collaboration with Women of Vision (WOVA), an organization engaged in similar work to empower women through tailoring and craft skills. During the current reporting period, the partnership supported a three-day training programme that reached over 20 women and girls, most of whom were on school holiday. Participants were trained in the production of pillows, cushions, and reusable sanitary pads, equipping them with practical skills for income generation and improved self-reliance. 

The photos above illustrate girls and women learning how to measure and cut scrap sponge and textile off-cuts for use in making pillows and cushions. Participants are guided through stitching techniques using glue and hand needles. Beyond technical skills, the training emphasizes mindset change, enabling women and girls to recognize and utilize locally available resources to create useful household products and generate income through small-scale sales.

In the above photos, participants were being trained to make reusable sanitary pads using locally available materials such as pieces of cloth, soft synthetic fabric, and hand needles for stitching. The objective of this training is to enable girls and women to produce their own menstrual hygiene materials. This, in turn, improves menstrual hygiene management, boosts self-esteem, and helps keep girls in school.

Challenges

Ravens Foundation (RAF) continues to face several significant challenges that hinder the full realization of our mission. Nevertheless, we remain committed to finding meaningful ways to reach our beneficiaries, even within the constraints of limited financial resources. Our dedication to building skills, confidence, and independence among women and girls remains unwavering.

Key Challenges:

• Limited Funding: Financial constraints remain one of our greatest challenges. As a grassroots organization, we rely heavily on goodwill and volunteer support. However, sustaining volunteer engagement has become increasingly difficult, as many dedicated team members must prioritize paid employment to support their families. This affects both the consistency and the reach of our programs.
• Lack of a Designated Training Center: RAF currently does not have a permanent or officially designated space for conducting skills training. This limits our ability to run structured, continuous training programs and to expand our impact.

• REPORT_FOR_THE_PERIOD_OCTOBER_2025JANUARY_2026.pdf (PDF)