Menstrual Dignity Project (MDP)
Families in Buyende District face significant financial strain, which forces them to prioritize essential needs such as food, medical care, and emergencies over menstrual hygiene. For many women and girls, the cost of disposable menstrual products is prohibitive. On average, a girl requires approximately 20 disposable pads per menstrual cycle, amounting to about 240 pads per year. With each pack of pads costing around 8,500 UGX, the total annual cost can reach approximately 290,000 UGX, an unmanageable expense for many households.
As a result, girls often miss school during their menstrual periods, fall behind academically, and experience shame, fear, and social isolation. A baseline assessment conducted at the inception of the Menstrual Dignity Project (MDP) revealed that, on average, schoolgirls missed approximately three days of school per menstrual cycle due to lack of basic sanitary materials, highlighting a critical barrier to consistent school attendance and academic performance.
“When my flow was heavy, the blood would sometimes leak through, staining my uniform and desk. This happened to me twice, and the entire class laughed at me. Because of this, I often skipped school during my periods to avoid the embarrassment.”
Namuyiga Lovisa, 13-year-old female, St. Paul Primary School
In response to these challenges, ETH launched an initiative to address these gaps by offering a sustainable solution, promoting accurate understanding of menstruation, breaking myths and misconceptions, upholding girls’ dignity, and fostering a supportive and friendly environment where school girls can manage menstruation safely and confidently.
Sustainable menstrual solution: Reusable pads
The Menstrual Dignity Project runs a hands-on reusable pad workshop led by skilled and passionate women and girls. The workshop produces high-quality reusable pads which are then distributed to school girls in rural schools in Buyende District. These initiatives directly reduce school absenteeism during menstruation as a result of lacking resources, boost the girls’ confidence, and empower them to participate fully in school and community life.
Since its inception, the project has produced 364 reusable pad kits, each containing three reusable pads, and distributed them to 364 school girls in two rural primary schools in Buyende District.
A follow-up assessment revealed that 95% of the girls felt very comfortable using the reusable pads. Additionally, 85% of the girls who had previously used disposable pads found the reusable ones more comfortable, non-irritating, and leak-proof. Importantly, none of the girls reported missing classes due to menstruation.
"Before receiving ETH reusable pads, I used to rely on old T-shirt material during
my periods but they could not hold blood. I was in class and when I stood up to answer a question, boys started laughing at me. At this point, I didn't know what they were laughing at until my friend told me my dress was stained with blood. I ran out of the class because i was embarrassed. After getting
these reusable pads, I now attend class with confidence, knowing all is well and
nothing will happen."
Akong Mercy Jackline, 14 years, Primary seven
The reusable menstrual pads can be washed and used repeatedly, offering a sustainable solution. With just three pads, women can maintain hygiene throughout the day ensuring that they have time to wash and reuse them. This simple solution promotes both confidence and dignity, school girls stay active and focused during their day-to-day activities without sacrificing their health.
Sensitization and De-stigmatization campaigns
In addition to producing and distributing reusable hygiene pads, we run sensitization and de-stigmatization campaigns on menstruation to address both knowledge gaps and social stigma. The sensitization component raises awareness and educates students about menstrual health through comprehensive menstrual hygiene sessions to ensure that the girls understand how to manage their menstruation safely and confidently, including the biological, social, and emotional aspects of menstruation. The de-stigmatization component challenges misconceptions, reduces shame, and promotes positive attitudes toward menstruation.
These campaigns include both girls and boys to reduce stigma around menstruation, increase knowledge about menstrual hygiene, and emphasize the importance of proper practices at school and home fostering a supportive environment where everyone can openly discuss menstruation. . By combining education with attitude change, these campaigns create a more informed and inclusive school community that supports menstrual health and well-being. A total of 570 pupils (206 boys and 364 girls) have benefited from these sessions
Support menstrual dignity by directly contributing to the creation of reusable pads for women and girls in Mpunde. By funding an item, you can help alleviate the financial barriers these families face and make a meaningful impact on their health and confidence.
Here are some of the costs for materials and labor needed to produce reusable pads:
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$1.35
A single reusable pad
$8.00
A roll of absorbent fleece
$30.00
A roll of bottom cloth
$5.50
A full menstrual kit
$16.50
3 full menstrual kits
$40.00
Snap buttons in bulk
$110.00
A roll of waterproof raincoat material
Donate today!
Every donation makes a difference. Whether you contribute towards materials, labor, or a full pack of reusable pads, you help ensure that girls and women can maintain their dignity and confidence through affordable, sustainable solutions.
Would you like to sponsor a single pad, a pack of pads, or a roll of fabric? Pick an item and see how your donation can transform lives!