On September, 2023, an earthquake claimed over 2,900 lives. During disasters, young women become some of the most affected victims as menstruation doesn't stop. Therefore, they require gender-specific aid which is usually inadequate. Consequently, they resort to using soiled cloths in place of menstrual pads which can lead to health complications and prevent them from attending school. It's for this reason Peace Winds Korea aimed to distribute menstrual kits to girls affected by the earthquake.
According to the UNDP (2022), women are often the most severely impacted by natural disasters. However, the response from the aid community often ignores gender-specific factors. Traditional humanitarian efforts prioritize basic necessities like food, shelter, clothing, and hygiene products, which are distributed to all those in need, including soap, toothpaste, and sponges. Unfortunately, they often neglect the unique needs of women and girls, specifically menstrual products.
Peace Winds Korea will implement a menstrual support program for 800 adolescent girls and female survivors of the 2023 earthquake in Asni, Morocco. Asni is a small town located in the foothills of the High Atlas mountains near Marrakesh, Morocco. We plan to provide 800 menstrual kits that include reusable pads, underwears, a bucket, and soap for washing before December. Our goal is to aid as many Morocco girls as we can.
In 2024, we plan to hold monthly workshops focused on educating Morocco girls about proper menstrual hygiene care to boost their personal hygiene and self-esteem. Additionally, we pledge to support the local organization in their efforts to maintain this project which is support the menstrual kits for girls and women in Morocco. This will ultimately prevent early marriages and further empower young girls in achieving their aspirations.