PBF Sanitary Pad support to keep Girls in Schools
PBF works in Kenya with the local Community Based Organization, One World Network and in partnership with locals to develop sustainable solutions to various problems in the poor and marginalized communities in the informal urban settlements and remote rural areas. Since 2013, we have been buying Sanitary Pads for school girls in Mathare Nairobi.
The situation
It is a common but little-known problem that girls in Africa often do not attend school and stay home because of menstruation. According to UNICEF, every tenth schoolgirl in sub-Saharan Africa lacks classroom instruction or is completely absent due to her menstrual cycle. Many girls use inappropriate and unhygienic remedies such as rags, newspapers or even dry leaves.
The Project Pads as we call it, aims to give dignity to school girls and reduce absenteeism and drop-out rates.
Our solution
Because of cost constraints we have a partnership with a local non- profit organisation that produces an absorbent hygiene pack made of cotton, consisting of pad and underwears. This is fully washable and reusable. The pack can be used with good hygiene for a year with good cleaning and care. The pad contains no gels or absorbent chemicals and is fully biodegradable. The project also includes comprehensive training of girls and boys to address the social stigma associated with menstruation.
Increased need
Currently we are buying the reusable pads for distribution monthly for 4 schools in the Slums of Nairobi and 1 School in the rural Kenya. We would wish to increase our distribution to reach out to more girls whose class attendance is affected by absence during their menstruation period due to lack of sanitary pads. With an increased budget of $ 1,500 we would reach out to 500 extra school girls every month.
Sanitary Pads Production as a Social Enterprise
One World Network is appealing to PBF and well-wishers to conduct a Special fundraising for acquisition of equipment and materials for local reusable sanitary pads production . This will create jobs for women especially and ensure that cheaper pads are produced locally for distribution and sale. We have identified a company that sells approtech equipment for the localised cottage industry at a cost of $ 20,000, this includes, equipment, initial materials for production and training.
The aim is to create a model for social entrepreneurship in the production of sanitary pads that would also create jobs and ensure sustainability. The pads should be affordable for locals especially the low-income rural and slum dwellers.
Eunice Abok, PBF, Kenia