Project 56: Empower Women - Kenya

This is our 3rd time working with Days for Girls—this time in Kenya. This NGO addresses period poverty by finding sustainable solutions including reusable menstruation kits and community education to address stigma. We will support their work in Mt. Elgon, Kenya, with the production of 1750 menstrual kits and community health education to over 3500 women and other community members.

The Mt. Elgon community in Bungoma County is an isolated and mountainous region on the Kenya-Uganda border. While the area has high rates of poverty, poor infrastructure, and a history of political conflict, Mt. Elgon is also known for its impressive coffee-growing industry. Women and girls in Mt. Elgon navigate MH challenges including a lack of period products, accurate information, and social support. Sadly, they experience stigmatization and exclusion during their periods.

To dismantle the menstrual stigma in Mt. Elgon, the Days for Girls team seeks larger community-level engagement because if they can reach more people (especially men and boys), they can help to cultivate positive attitudes surrounding menstruation and shift social norms, leading to sustainable, lasting change. With added support from Mite, Days for Girls can scale up their impact in Mt. Elgon to better serve women and their communities.

Over the coming 12 months, we will support the production of 1750 washable pad kits, and the training of 65 local leaders from government, tribal, religious, education and business sectors (including coffee co-op leadership) to become menstrual health champions. These leaders will then get together quarterly to implement strategies. There will also be several community educational sessions, with a target of reaching 500+ men and the regional wider population.

Let’s end period poverty and promote healthy inclusion for women in society, join our initiative today.