Days for Girls Uganda

Empowering women and girls through menstrual hygiene kits and education
2015 SEED Gender Equality Award; Hogan Lovells,2015 SEED Gender Equality Award; adelphi
Water, Sanitation & Health (WASH)
Uganda

The enterprise partners with local organisations to train women in producing and distributing soap and menstrual hygiene kits. The innovative design of the kits uses locally sourced materials that can last for up to three years, can be washed with little water, and fold out to look like handkerchiefs when drying.

After training, members of the partner organisations become ambassadors for women’s health and hygiene services, providing both products and vital health knowledge at the community level.

Mothers are encouraged to participate in production and can access on-site childcare. The sewing and distribution options for local partners generate income opportunities for women and communities.

Eco-Inclusive Impacts
Days for Girls empowers women and girls in East Africa to take control of their bodies and finances by providing education, training and access to menstrual hygiene. Importantly, the enterprise initiates the dialogue to reduce stigma and shame.
  • Reducing the estimated 50% of girls who miss school due to their menses.
  • Empowering women and girls to take control of their bodies and initiating broader dialogue to eliminate stigma and shame.
  • Providing accessible childcare facilities to workers, encouraging mothers to join the enterprise. 
  • Reducing environmental impact of importing raw materials by sourcing locally available materials.
  • Reducing the number of disposable pads entering landfill, as kits last for up to three years.
  • Lessening the amount of water needed to clean pads compared to competing products.
  • Establishing a new value chain based on local raw materials and targeting a mostly untapped market with affordable products.
  • Increasing overall productivity by empowering women through improved access to education and workforce, additional income and training on savings schemes.

Partners

Days for Girls empowers women and girls in East Africa to take control of their bodies and finances by providing business training and access to menstrual hygiene. Uniquely designed reusable menstrual hygiene kits support girls and women to attend school and work, without anxiety or stigma over menstrual hygiene. Furthermore, women involved in production gain income and economic empowerment.

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation collaborates with the enterprise on several training projects and supports with monitoring and evaluation.

Days for Girls International developed and patented the menstrual hygiene kits, and provides umbrella support to affiliate enterprises.

Days for Girls USA has generated 50% of the enterprise’s operational budget with funds raised from small foundations, individuals, and awards.

National Menstrual Hygiene Management Steering Committee is a coalition of stakeholders advocating for the inclusion of menstrual hygiene at the national and policy level.