Menstrual Dignity Project (MDP)
What is the MDP?
The Menstrual Dignity Project is a workshop that produces high-quality reusable hygiene pads. Operated by skilled women and girls passionate about tailoring and making a difference in their community, this workshop is a crucial step towards our goal of increasing the attendance of public school girls.
De-Stigmatization Workshops
In addition to producing and distributing reusable hygiene pads, we launched de-stigmatization campaigns on menstruation, which featured a Q&A session, encouraging open dialogue and answering students' questions to promote a healthy understanding of menstruation.
Pad Distribution
Recently, the workshop produced 72 reusable pad kits, which were distributed to two rural u schools in Mpunde village, Buyende District. Alongside the distribution, we conducted comprehensive menstrual hygiene sessions to ensure that all 72 girls understand the importance of maintaining proper menstrual hygiene.
What comes in a menstrual kit?
One menstrual kit comes with four reusable pads. These pads are made from a waterproof lining covered by fleece and cotton cloth, attached to the underwear by a plastic button clasp. It takes approximately two days to make a kit from scratch, including a bag for safe, clean storage. It costs about $5 to make a single kit, and a kit will last a menstruating girl one year.
What are the major issues we are trying to tackle?
Families in Mpunde face significant financial strain, which forces them to prioritize essential needs like food, medical care, and emergencies over menstrual hygiene. For many women and girls, the cost of disposable menstrual products is prohibitive. On average, women require around 20 disposable pads per menstrual cycle, amounting to approximately 240 pads per year. With each pack of pads costing around 8,500 UGX (about $80 per year), the total expense can reach a 290,000 UGX annually—an unmanageable sum for many families.
Empower Through Health provides reusable menstrual pads that can be washed and used repeatedly, offering a sustainable solution. With just four pads, women can maintain hygiene throughout the day—three for daily use and one for nighttime—ensuring that they have time to wash and reuse them. This simple solution promotes both confidence and dignity, helping women and girls stay active and focused during their day-to-day activities without sacrificing their health.
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:
$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!