With your kind support, we will empower Karunga Women Self Help Group to sew reusable ecological sanitary pad kits and cotton shopping bags. The sanitary pads will be distributed to school girls in vulnerable indigenous communities for improved hygiene, school attendance, participation and self-confidence. Project will include environmental conservation education, waste management and recycling. Cotton shopping bags and other environmentally friendly products will be promoted among communities.
For many girls in Kenya their 'days' are still a nightmare. They often miss school during menstruation. Research shows that 65% of women and girls can't afford sanitary pads. Karunga Women Self Help Group of single mothers and widows sew and knit products to support their children and improve livelihood. Despite best efforts, their tools, skills and market access are still lacking. Over 24 million plastic bags are used and poorly disposed in Kenya monthly which is destroying Mother Earth!
The project aims to improve skills and diversify products of Karunga women to match the needs of local markets. The women will be supported to produce reusable ecological sanitary pad kits and cotton shopping bags, which will be distributed to the vulnerable communities to serve two noble causes: 1) improve girls' hygiene, attendance and performance at school and 2) reduce use of plastic bags to contribute to sustainable environment which is in line with Kenya plastic waste management strategy.
Karunga women will improve their production efficiency ensuring increased income and sustainability of their enterprise, thus advancing their living standards. Project will empower girls to develop self-confidence and self-actualization. It will open avenues for future projects aimed at more sensitive and pressing issues, i.e. early marriages, family planning, and FGM. The project will increase community awareness and participation in waste management and environmental conservation.
