Institute of Design and Innovation’s Post

🌟 We recently had the privilege of joining forces with Girls for Generations, led by Ms. Branis Mugashia, and the Youth empowerment and advocacy network, under the leadership of Ms. Esther Irungu, for an impactful initiative at General Kago Primary School. Our mission was to educate young girls about menstrual hygiene, championing our powerful taglines: END PERIOD SHAMING! END MENSTRUAL POVERTY!🌸 🌍 We firmly believe CHILDREN are pivotal in our sustainability efforts within cities and communities. Empowering them aligns perfectly with Sustainable Development Goals #11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and #13 (Climate Action).🛤️ 🌍 Addressing menstrual hygiene is not just about health; it's about dignity, education, and creating opportunities. By breaking the stigma and providing essential knowledge, we're paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future. 🌍 Our efforts underscore the importance of integrating children and youth in sustainability initiatives. By empowering young girls, we ensure they can contribute meaningfully to our communities' resilience and growth. This event was a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact we can make when we come together for a common cause.🌟 🌍 Let's continue to support and uplift our young leaders, ensuring they have the knowledge and resources to drive positive change. Together, we can build sustainable cities and a healthier planet for future generations.✨ #EndPeriodShaming #EndMenstrualPoverty #Girls4Generations #YEAN #KijijiKwetu #SDGs #ChildrenYouthandLocalCommunities

Work with what you have, talk to those who are listening, and then figure out how to change things so peoples lives improve, it's not very complicated 😍 #currencyofmind #practicalpartnerships #investinthecracksandgaps

During the Women's Day Celebration in March this year, I was privileged to be part of some projects to celebrate the girl-child. I represented one of my bosses Markfred Akachukwu in a conference hosted by SieDi-Hub to present a paper on the impact journey of Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (I'm still cooking the full story 😁). From my research, I found out about the 'Brain Builders' lead project; the 'PADDEDGIRLSProject' where they didn't just donate pads but taught their selected beneficiaries how to make reusable Menstrual pads. It did make a lot of sense and highlighted the fact that we need to be open to options of more eco-friendly yet hygienic period products. I did an extensive study on Tampons and Menstrual cups after then. I was quite amazed with what I saw. Another reality struck deeper. I realized that most girls in many under-developed regions still see sanitary pads as LUXURY! Then, I had mentioned Period Poverty as one of the major hindrances to breaking barriers. Quoting myself, a girl who grows up believing that something as basic as a sanitary pad is a LUXURY that she might never have a privilege to would never believe that she possesses great powers inside her to do exploits. It kinda places a restriction on their minds to not dare and dream high. You could Imagine my joy when Afrique Styles and Concepts announced that they'll be going for a school tour with their queens on a 'Pad a girl' project to teach girls about Period poverty and enlighten them on the importance of good menstrual hygiene during their period days. I joined the tour and enjoyed the lively conversations. Thank you for the opportunity Afrique Jessey Umah . It's World Menstrual Hygiene Day here are a few points I want to highlight from my stories: Period poverty is real. Millions of girls can't still afford sanitary pads. The other options they use aren't hygienic. We can only talk about menstrual hygiene when there's access to good menstrual products. You might not reach out to millions, you can start with just one person. We can begin with just one person. Conversations on Period hygiene should be a common thing. It shouldn't be a once-in-a-longwhile talk or a 'Nobody should hear us' talk. We should have these talks more randomly. Parents should raise girls to see Menstruation as a thing of pride and not disgust or shame. We can only have a period-friendly world when we raise a generation with a balanced 'period life'. Happy World Menstrual Hygiene Day! #menstrualhygiene #Menstrualhygieneday #Periodfriendlyworld#

Beyond the lack of access to menstrual products, period poverty intersects with education, impacting a girl's ability to attend school regularly. It influences women's health and well-being, limiting professional opportunities due to societal stigmas. It's a complex challenge that demands our attention. As we confront these realities, let's amplify our collective voice to raise awareness and advocate for change. By understanding the multifaceted nature of period poverty, we pave the way for meaningful solutions and foster a world where menstrual health is a universal right. 🗣️🩸 Learn more here - https://lnkd.in/gxxGdnQn or click the link in our bio. #IRFFUK #CommunitySupport #NonProfitOrganisationUK #UKCharity #ProvidingEducation #FightingPeriodPoverty #MakingADifference #ForACause #WaitGhana #PeriodEducation #MenstrualHygiene

My Journey: Addressing Period Poverty, Stigma, and Discrimination Growing up, I witnessed the severe effects of period poverty and the stigma surrounding menstruation. For many women in marginalized communities, menstruation led to exclusion due to a lack of access to products and cultural taboos. This reality inspired me to start Forever Africa Power Dada (FAPD), a platform to provide menstrual products, break the silence, and empower women to take control of their narratives. The Drive to Start FAPD FAPD was born out of the need to tackle period poverty and end the stigma. Our mission is to provide access to menstrual hygiene products, establish educational programs, and create safe spaces for open discussions about menstruation and gender equity. Obstacles Along the Way We faced cultural resistance, funding limitations, internal stigma, and logistical challenges in reaching those most affected. Despite these obstacles, we persisted by building partnerships and launching community outreach programs. The Successes We hosted successful community workshops, breaking the silence on menstruation, and distributed menstrual hygiene kits to hundreds of girls, reducing school absenteeism. Collaborating with local leaders has helped shift cultural perceptions and fostered solidarity among women. The Future I envision a future free of period poverty and stigma, expanding FAPD’s reach to underserved areas, securing sustainable partnerships, and advocating for policy changes to ensure menstrual hygiene products are accessible to all. We aim to continue empowering young women through leadership and advocacy to lead this movement forward. #foreverafricapd #periodpoverty #menstrualmatters #menstruation@foreverafricapd

Dear community, A shoutout to all , As we gear up to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th, we at Pankh India Foundation are once again renewing our commitment to addressing a critical issue: period poverty. Despite strides in women's empowerment, period poverty remains a harsh reality, especially in rural areas and underserved communities. This Women's Day, we are launching our annual Happy Periods initiative, aimed at providing essential period packets to women in rural areas, slums, and rural schools. These packets will cover their menstrual necessities for up to one year, ensuring that they have access to basic hygiene and dignity. Our initiative starts on Women's Day and culminates on Menstrual Hygiene Day, May 28th. We firmly believe that true empowerment begins with addressing fundamental needs, and what could be more fundamental than ensuring that every woman has access to menstrual hygiene products? By providing period packets, we are not only meeting a basic need but also empowering women to participate fully in social, economic, and educational opportunities. We invite each one of you to join us in this noble cause. Together, let's celebrate Women's Day by making a tangible difference in the lives of women and girls in our rural communities. Let's empower one woman at a time, spreading hope, dignity, and opportunity. Come forward, support our Happy Periods initiative, by sponsoring 1 woman with Rs 600 and be a part of the change. Together, we can create a world where every woman can embrace her period with dignity and pride.

Our article supporting and promoting the concept of menstrual equity has been successfully published. It highlights the importance of ensuring equal access to menstrual products, education, and support for individuals who menstruate. The article delves into the various challenges faced by menstruators, such as financial barriers, lack of awareness, and stigma. It also emphasizes the need for policy changes and societal shifts to address menstrual inequity and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. We hope that our article will contribute to the ongoing conversation and efforts towards achieving menstrual equity. #menstrualequity #periodpoverty #socialjustice #internationalsocialwork https://lnkd.in/gXkThKAu

In July, the online magazine “Bold Journey” featured OBOS Today content expert Eva Marie Carney. Eva Marie discussed the work that she does with The Kwek Society and why, and she offered advice to others who may be interested in starting a similar journey. “I am working with a group of like-minded and exuberant volunteer board members and volunteers through ‘The Kwek Society’ (‘kwek’ means ‘women’ in the Potawatomi language and is pronounced ‘queck’ (like trek)) to end period poverty among Indigenous students and their peers. Our ultimate goal is to end period poverty across Indigenous communities in the United States. Access to period products is a basic human right and we are doing everything we can to get Indigenous students and their peers that access. To date we have distributed close to 4 million period products and currently are supporting over 200 schools full of menstruators who, without the period supplies we offer, might skip school altogether, suffer embarrassment or ridicule during the school day, or impact their health by using supplies for longer than intended or by making do with makeshift supplies like wadded up toilet paper or cotton rags. We not only provide them supplies, we also share our views that periods are to be celebrated. When requested by school staff, we send schools puberty education books for both sexes. We also curate and share on our website for the students we support and others who make their way to the site, traditional, Indigenous teachings about periods that center young menstruators. I started The Kwek Society, in 2018, after becoming aware of the need for this support and education in Indigenous communities and realizing that I, as an Indigenous woman and elected leader for my Native Nation, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, could be the catalyst driving others to mobilize to address these needs in a celebratory, vibrant way.” https://lnkd.in/eC-xCGQ5 #OBOSToday #OurBodiesOurselves #PeriodPoverty #Indigenous #Period #Menstruation #PeriodProducts

The year is 2024. We've landed rovers on Mars and connected billions through technology, yet a young girl's life tragically ended because she was not able to understand what was happening to her body when she got her period. This hit me hard. At Josh Talks Aasha, our recent research on menstrual hygiene within our vast female community revealed a disturbing reality. The results? Honestly, they were shocking. We uncovered a deep silence and fear surrounding menstruation. Shame and a lack of knowledge are holding many women back. So, what are we doing to change this? Our community is our strength. Our massive female audience of 286 million, especially in tier 2 and 3 cities, puts us in a unique position to combat period poverty. Josh Talks platform has sparked open conversations and built a supportive space that shatters the stigma around menstruation. This Menstrual Hygiene Day, we pledge to continue to work to end period poverty. We have the resources—our capacity to reach the remotest parts of the country through our community—to learn exactly what women need to fight period poverty. By asking questions, conducting research, and carrying out extensive surveys, we can understand their biggest struggles. But we can't do it alone! We need more people to join us—organizations, volunteers, anyone working in this space. Together, we can turn this knowledge into action and make a real difference. Let's build a future where every girl has the knowledge, resources, and confidence to manage her period with dignity. #JoshTalks #SupriyaPaul #MenstrualHygiene #Empowerment #JoshTalksAasha #WomenEmpowerment #Health #Education #EndPeriodPoverty

🌟 Enabling Menstrual Inclusivity: Promoting Social Justice 🌟 At Eegf Foundation, we believe in a world where menstrual health is a priority for everyone. Menstrual inclusivity is not just about providing products—it's about fostering understanding, breaking down stigmas, and ensuring equitable access for all. By promoting menstrual inclusivity, we: 🔹 Empower individuals to manage their periods with dignity. 🔹 Educate communities to dismantle taboos and misconceptions. 🔹 Advocate for policies that ensure access to menstrual products and education. Together, we can create a society where menstruation is normalized and no one is held back because of their period. Let's continue to champion menstrual equity and make a real impact on social justice. Join us in this crucial movement. 🌍💪 #MenstrualInclusivity #SocialJustice #PeriodEquity #EndPeriodPoverty Donate via: https://lnkd.in/giPP7HDb