Jane and her friends, who are between the ages of 14 and 16 and are from Nigeria, used to miss lessons when they were on their periods due to a lack of menstrual supplies, poverty, and shame. For Jane, her past experience of being stained has left her still feeling ‘guilty and ashamed’.
“I would come to school late because I would have to go home at lunch time to change. It would take me an hour to walk there and back, so I would miss classes in the afternoon. I am still ashamed of myself, remembering the day I got stained.”
A quality high-school education can transform a girl’s future, yet in Nigeria, many adolescent girls miss school or even drop out altogether for one simple reason: menstruation. Schools often lack the supplies and sanitation facilities girls need for managing their periods. Girls without adequate health care may feel discomfort or pain. In Nigeria, shame, stigma and misinformation may discourage girls from attending school while menstruating and prevent schools from teaching healthy attitudes about menstruation. Many girls stay home to avoid being teased.
For girls with disabilities, or those growing up in refugee camps and conflict areas, the challenges are even greater.
The Keeping Girls in School program reaches vulnerable girls with essential puberty and confidence education and donations of pads, so that they can commit to their education and their future. HOPE has a proven track record of supporting menstruating girls and helping them get what they need so their periods don’t get in the way of their daily lives. In addition to teaching girls how to make quality and safe-to-use reusable pads, our work ensures that vulnerable girls have access to menstrual health and hygiene supplies, along with water and sanitation facilities required to manage their periods safely and with dignity. Since 2018, we’ve worked to ensure that no girl misses school, just because they are on their period.
Menstruation-related issues are a gender-based barrier to girls’ education. There are many reasons that children may miss school – but having a period should not be one of them. Your donation helps keep girls in school and learning during menstruation.
Donate here: https://gofund.me/c38a65e5
