Reusable pads and a plan for girls in Mzimba

Mzimba District, Malawi. That is where Emelia Gondwe is planning the HerHope Initiative, a small community project. The idea, she says, started from noticing that some adolescent girls miss school during their menstrual periods because they do not have access to affordable menstrual hygiene products. "This affects their confidence, comfort, and sometimes their participation in class," she says. "I want to help address this in a simple and practical way," she says.

She is clear about where things stand. "At the moment, the project is still at the planning stage," she says. She has identified the main problem and the target group, and she is developing a plan to introduce reusable menstrual pads alongside basic menstrual health education in selected communities. She is also thinking through how to work with local schools and community leaders "so the support reaches the right girls in a respectful and sustainable way."

“I believe no girl should have to miss an opportunity simply because she cannot afford something as basic as menstrual hygiene. HerHope Initiative is my small step toward changing that.”

Emelia Gondwe

She cares about this, she says, because "small, basic needs should not become barriers to dignity or participation in daily life." "Something as natural as menstruation should not limit a young person's ability to continue learning or feel confident in their community," she says.

Next is a pilot in Mzimba District.