Gender Equality Morocco Project #44759

Stop Period Poverty for Girls in Morocco

by Project Soar

Project Report | Nov 1, 2024
Meet Fatima Ezzahra, our Menstrual Health Mentor!

By Carmen Hansen | Communication & Development Assistant

Hi Friends!

We are thrilled to share a heartfelt update with you - our incredible supporters!

Thanks to your unwavering generosity, Stop Period Poverty in Morocco continues to thrive, providing sustainable menstrual kits and life-changing education to young girls throughout Morocco. But this initiative goes far beyond distributing supplies; it’s about empowering girls to embrace their bodies with pride, break free from shame and stigma, and take control of their futures.

Today, we are excited to introduce you to one of our outstanding Menstrual Health Mentors, Elhaou Fatima Ezzahra. Fatima, a 25-year-old medical doctor completing her thesis, has dedicated herself to improving health education for young women. Her words capture the essence of why this work is so critical:

"Improving health education for young women, especially in areas that affect their self-esteem, mental health, and well-being, has always been one of my most important goals. Menstrual health, in particular, is often overlooked, but it plays a key role in preventing infections, building confidence, and fostering body positivity."

Fatima Ezzahra shared how the combination of Project Soar's workshops and menstrual kits creates lasting change:

"The workshops provide a safe space for girls to ask questions, learn, and connect with the mentors. This knowledge gives them confidence and resilience in managing their health. The kits add practical value - they contain essential products that some girls might not otherwise have access to, empowering them to manage their periods with dignity and comfort."

This is at the heart of our mission - to create spaces where girls feel seen, heard, and empowered, turning menstruation into a source of strength rather than shame. Through these workshops, facilitated by passionate mentors like Fatima Ezzahra, girls are not only learning to manage their periods but also building self-esteem and becoming agents of change within their communities. Each workshop and kit helps keep girls in school, reduces the risk of early marriage, and ensures they have the opportunity to pursue their dreams uninterrupted by period insecurity.

None of this would be possible without your continued support. By standing with Project Soar, you are not only providing menstrual supplies - you are fueling a movement that promotes dignity, confidence, and opportunity for girls across Morocco.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your generosity is making a lasting impact, and together, we are ensuring that no girl’s potential is limited by her period.

Warmest wishes,

The Project Soar Team

Fatima Ezzahra and Kenza, our Program Coordinator

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Jul 5, 2024
Menstrual knowledge, from girl to mom!

By Victoria Di Gaetano | Communication and Development Coordinator

Hi Friends!

We are sending gratitude to You, our supporters!

Your donation allows Project Soar to tackle period poverty and menstrual insecurity by distributing shame-free, eco-friendly period supplies to teen girls living in underserved rural areas throughout Morocco and providing them with menstrual awareness and education! It is also thanks to you that Soar Girls have access to a brighter future filled with opportunities!

Since 2017, we have been distributing disposable and reusable menstrual products to all our beneficiaries. We get to talk with them a lot, to understand what we are doing well and where we can improve; it's the only way to really bring a big impact and help.

Following one of the menstrual management workshop we had the chance to collect feedback directly from teen girls themselves: Fatiha, aged 14, shared that it was the first time she felt her understanding had truly expanded; for instance, she is now confident in fully managing menstrual pain. Milouda, aged 15, added that she now felt no shame in discussing periods, seeing them as a natural and normal biological process. This is exactly what we aim at! No shame and no taboos anymore!

“My friends and I had a lot of misconceptions about periods and thanks to the workshops, we now know what is true and what is false, and I have started applying everything I have learnt. We need to understand that period is normal and yet we always need more information to know how to deal with them. The facilitators are extremely skilled and friendly. Also, having workshops with multiple girls made the experience enjoyable and the discussion richer.” - Yasmine, 14

The beneficiaries learn how to overcome challenges associated with menstruation. They feel empowered to openly discuss menstruation, understanding how to manage pain and its origins. Girls also demonstrated that they become educators themselves, as they eagerly share knowledge of tracking menstrual cycles with their mothers, dispelling myths among their peers, such as the notion that a delayed period indicates pregnancy, and spreading information among their friends.

However, one girl encountered resistance when sharing menstrual and hygiene methods with her mother. Initially skeptical, her mother questioned certain aspects, particularly hygiene practices during menstruation. However, upon learning that the information came from trained women who led the workshops, her mom began to accept the lessons shared by her daughter. Reflecting on the experience, one girl shared that her mother expressed a sense of gratitude, acknowledging the rarity of organizations addressing menstruation education and support, unlike her own experience as she lacked guidance on managing menstruation.

Thank you once again for your support in this cause. Your contribution helps girls and their mothers too!

Never doubt the change you are making by supporting this impactful cause.

Warmest wishes,

The Project Soar Team

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Mar 13, 2024
Access to period supplies can change a girl's life

By Iman Zaoin | Communication & Development Assistant

Hi Friends! We're sending a big thank you to all our supporters!

Your contributions to the GlobalGiving Stop Period Poverty project are vital in supporting Project Soar's mission to provide girls in underserved communities with shame-free, eco-friendly menstrual products + deliver menstrual education workshops.

Thanks to your support, we can provide girls across Morocco with reusable menstrual kits that last up to three years. These long-lasting products can make a significant difference in the lives of teenage girls from marginalized communities. Regular single-use products can be a considerable expense for low-income families. As a result, girls who cannot access menstrual supplies are at a higher risk of dropping out of school. Once out of school, teen girls are more likely to be forced into early marriage.

Access to reusable menstrual products can change a girl’s life, allowing her to continue her studies and work towards a brighter future. Reusable period supplies offer long-term cost and environmental benefits, are safe, and effective in ensuring hygiene and menstrual health. Project Soar offers girls reusable underwear made from certified fabrics, designed to last for years. This sustainable option helps reduce environmental waste, considering the average woman uses over 11,000 disposable period products in her lifetime.

At Project Soar, we believe that periods should not hinder girls from pursuing anything in life. Access to high-quality and comfortable period products can significantly improve girls' daily lives, boosting their confidence and comfort during menstruation. This can positively affect their ability to concentrate in school and manage their daily activities more comfortably.

“I feel uneasy wearing single-use pads. They often shift and I worry about them showing, especially when I wear pants. This makes it hard to concentrate at school. I believe these panties will offer me the comfort and confidence I need."
(Raghed, 13 years old)

Thank you once again for your support in this cause. Your contribution helps girls remain in school, boosts their confidence, and reduces the risk of child marriage! Never doubt the change you are making by supporting this impactful cause.

Warmest wishes,
The Project Soar Team

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