This project will equip 100 women with sustainable menstrual cups as well as comprehensive sexual reproductive health education and training to ensure full inclusion in their communities. Single use sanitary pads and tampons have a harmful impact on the environment and are often costly for community members. Their disposable nature makes them both less sustainable and more expensive than alternatives. Reusable sanitary pads made of cloth contract bacteria that can be difficult to clean safely.
Menstrual management is a leading cause of absenteeism among school girls in Uganda. The Ugandan government estimates that during puberty, approximately 23% of girls between the ages of 12 and 18 drop out of school after they begin menstruating. Menstruation continues to be taboo and stigmatized in many communities, fostering a sense of shame in many young girls. This prevents them from actively engaging in their communities during their periods, thus limiting their opportunities.
The menstrual cup is an alternative product that can be used as a tool for empowerment. The cup is cost effective, reusable, and environmentally sustainable. The menstrual cups holds up to three times more than the average tampon and can therefore be worn for longer periods of time. This means no interruptions to one's school work, activities, and daily routine.
A single menstrual cup, which is all a person needs, can last up to 10 years. This is a cost effective alternative to single use menstrual products such as pads and tampons. Menstrual cups are also significantly more hygienic when compared to reusable sanitary pads and other options.
