On the 20th June, to acknowledge World Refugee Day, we launched a new initiative; ‘Your Period, Your Voice’ alongside two of our amazing partners; LunapadsandFarm Stew.
The aim of the initiative is to provide refugee women and girls with the holistic AFRIpads menstrual health offering to give them the opportunity to manage their periods with dignity.
The initiative launched in Adjumani, Northern Uganda and saw over 200 school aged girls at Boroli Primary School receive an AFRIpads Deluxe Menstrual Kit, underwear and an educational Girl Talk comic book.
Alongside the donation, which was funded by Lunapads and overseen by Farm Stew, this initiative will include a monitoring and evaluation process using the AFRIpads tried and tested mobile application – to build a deeper understanding of specific menstrual challenges and needs within Northern Uganda refugee settlements. The outcome of this report will then aim to raise awareness on a global scale and will contribute to existing data which includes results from a pilot study in 2018 with AFRIpads and UNHCR in South Western Uganda.
Sarah Sullivan, Marketing and Communications Lead at AFRIpads, said:
“Over half of the world experiences menstruation yet women and girls still face extraordinary barriers simply because of their periods. This is further exasperated within refugee settings. As a result, AFRIpads is honored to be working with Lunapads and Farm Stew on a menstrual health management (MHM) initiative whose sole focus is to ensure we give refugee girls and women their voice to highlight what they need to manage their period with dignity.
“Almost 10 years of experience in the menstrual hygiene space has taught us that in order to improve the way women and girls manage their period, we need to provide more than just a product. Uganda is currently the second largest refugee hosting country in the world and also home to the AFRIpads factory so we look forward to working directly with refugee women and girls on this holistic menstrual health approach.”
Joy Kauffman, MPH, Founder FARM STEW International, said:
“Many women and girls have, for far too long, not had a dignified way to manage their menstrual hygiene. FARM STEW Uganda and International are pleased to partner with AFRIpads and Lunapads to provide freedom from shame!
“Our joint initiative, ‘Your Period, Your Voice’ will transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable women and girls. By hearing directly from refugees, we will be certain that their shame is eliminated and dignity restored.”
Lunapads, the Canadian organization specializing in washable menstrual pads and underwear, is funding this donation via their #One4Her partnership with AFRIpads.
Jane Hope, spokesperson for Lunapads, said:
“Lunapads is proud to bring sustainable, dignified periods to anyone who needs it. Refugees are particularly challenged in finding reliable menstrual supplies, and as always, we’re proud to partner with AFRIpads in this important work.”
