Improving school attendance in Zimbabwe through reusable menstrual kits and hygiene education
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$3,020
On average, 72% of rural girls in Zimbabwe do not have access to sanitary wear and miss 48 to 60 days of school a year due to their menstruation.
The financial burden of procuring sanitary wear results in the use of unsanitary alternatives. These include corn curbs, cow dung, leaves and rags. The stigma associated with menstruation increases the risk of these unhealthy and unhygienic practices as girls are not adequately educated on healthy menstrual hygiene practices.
This project will promote healthy menstrual hygiene management through virtual educational sessions and the donation of tailor-made packages with sustainable sanitary wear that is locally manufactured in Zimbabwe.
- Region 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
- Sector 💊 Health
This project, in collaboration with the Daisies Foundation, distributes reusable sanitary pad kits—alongside virtual menstrual hygiene education—to girls in Zimbabwe, helping them remain in education.
Why is this work necessary?
In Zimbabwe, around 72% of rural girls lack access to sanitary wear and miss 48 to 60 school days per year due to menstruation. The financial burden forces many to resort to unsafe alternatives such as corn husks, cow dung, leaves, and rags.
Stigma around menstruation further compounds the problem, as girls often lack accurate information and supportive environments to manage their health. Without intervention, period poverty leads to poor educational outcomes, social exclusion, and long-term health risks.
Who is the Daisies Foundation?
The Daisies Foundation, established in 2021, assists women and children with education and menstrual health and hygiene. They partner with grassroots initiatives to ensure distribution is community-led, safe, and effective. Their model supports a locally owned, women-led supply chain that empowers women as producers and educators.
The solution
Reusable menstrual kits—locally manufactured by skilled artisans—are distributed to girls, accompanied by virtual educational sessions covering menstrual health and hygiene.
Each kit contains reusable sanitary pads, two pairs of underwear, five pegs, two large Ziploc bags, a cloth bag, bar soap, a washcloth, a menstrual calendar, and an educational leaflet. These supplies last up to two years and provide girls with the means and knowledge to manage their periods safely and confidently.
Impact and outcomes
This project provides girls in Zimbabwe with sustainable menstrual supplies and essential health education, enabling them to attend school year-round without interruption.
By investing in local production and knowledge-sharing, the initiative not only addresses immediate health and education needs but also strengthens long-term community resilience and gender equity.
- Kits distributed 225
Updates
From the field
Menstrual kit distribution completed in Harare, Zimbabwe
Posted 14 Oct 2024
Our effort to distribute reusable menstrual kits to 175 students concluded last Friday, with a final 55 students receiving their reusable kits.
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Attached is a report of the work.
Successful menstrual kit distribution and health workshops held in Kwekwe
Posted 26 Sept 2024
The first distribution took place in Kwekwe today. 120 students received reusable menstrual kits, and a broader group of students participated in health education workshops. :quality(85))
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Attached is a reel of the day's events:
Kwekwe distribution project gains ministry approval and sets target date
Posted 19 Sept 2024
We've secured distribution approval from the Ministry of Education in Kwekwe, and a District Schools Inspector has also been assigned to accompany our team to schools.
Currently, the team is finalising distribution dates and beneficiary lists with local schools. The proposed distribution date is set for September 26th.
700 menstrual kits ready for Zimbabwe schoolgirls
Posted 4 Sept 2024
The team in Zimbabwe has made great progress in producing 700 washable pads and holder bags to be distributed to 175 girls. These were crafted by the women trained at the Ruwa safe house, who used their new sewing skills.
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Schools reopen on September 9th, and the team is finalising distribution plans.
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Training and sewing has begun in Ruwa
Posted 13 Aug 2024
As per the last, we extended this initiative into Zimbabwe and will distribute reusable menstrual kits to 175 students in urban and rural Areas.
This time around, we employed and trained women in a safe house in Ruwa, which homes women who became pregnant in their teenage years or otherwise needed to tap into communal support networks.
This update includes clips of the women tapping their newly learned sewing skills and producing the holder bags that will house the reusable pads.
Distribution will begin in September once students are back in school. As a result, these students will be able to attend all school days of the year.
We're expanding this initiative into Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
Posted 19 Jul 2024
We’re currently voting to expand this initiative in Zimbabwe in collaboration with the Daises Foundation.
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As schools are currently closed, August will focus solely on training local women in Ruwa to create the kits. Distribution of the kits will commence in September once students are back in school.
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Following up on the girls at Mbare High School
Posted 30 Jul 2021
We have received an update from Takudzwa Chitima, one of our partners on the ground. She has carried out a follow-up survey with four of the girls who received reusable Days for Girls pads as part of this project. :quality(85))
Mitchell in Form 4 found the Days for Girls pads challenging at first as she was used to disposables. However, the learning curve wasn't steep, especially as she had been washing disposable pads and reusing them. She's had no leakage and has not bought reusable pads since she started using the Days for Girls pads. Her family members also want to know where they can get some! :quality(85))
Karen in Form 4 has stopped buying disposable pads and only uses the Days for Girls pads. She finds them easy to wash, and they dry quickly. The pad holder is a bit big for her, but she's had no leakage and no longer experiences the irritation she used to get with disposables.
Distribution complete!
Posted 13 Apr 2021
All 50 girls have now received their kits of reusable pads!:quality(85))
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Strikes are delaying distribution
Posted 26 Mar 2021
We received an update from Chipo and Takudzwa, who are on the ground and in partnership with us to provide sustainable sanitary kits for 50 girls in Mbare, Zimbabwe.
The teachers at Mbare High School are on strike, protesting inadequate pay, which is delaying the distribution of the pads. Our partners have a good relationship with the teachers, so we will be informed as soon as it is possible to carry out the distribution. Days for Girls have completed the manufacturing process, and the pads are ready for distribution.
Funds are in Zim!
Posted 8 Mar 2021
We've successfully managed to transfer the project funds to Chipo (project lead) in Zimbabwe, who is now procuring inputs for the kits and planning the logistics.