graziella@friendsofhumanity.ch is organizing this fundraiser.
Set up a production of affordable, organic and compostable Sanitary Pads to meet women needs primarily in Mahama Refugee Camp, Rwanda.
In a nutshell
This project intends to bring affordable sanitary pads for around 19’000 women living in the Mahama refugee camp, by setting up a production line operated by women themselves.
The problem
Thousands of girls and women (over 60’000) live in Rwanda in refugee camps as a result of regional wars in neighboring Burundi and in the Democratic Republic of Congo. When they menstruate, they do not have access to affordable sanitary pads, they often use a piece of cloth or rag and water is lacking; these unhygienic conditions cause vaginal infections, skin irritations and often embarrassing stains in public. This is not only a problem in the camps: there are 2.8 Mio menstruating women and girls in Rwanda and pads are not widely used. Reportedly 18% miss school regularly when they menstruate. The Government recognized this as an issue and recently lifted the taxes for sanitary pads, to promote their use.
The goal of this project is to provide women and girls living in Mahama refugee camp an affordable solution to their hygienic needs when menstruating, by creating a sustainable production of sanitary pads by women for women. The wider scope of the project is to extend the availability of affordable sanitary pads in Rwanda also to women and girls outside the camp as well in other camps.
The project aims to be self-sufficient from the second half of 2026.
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