Lack of access to affordable menstrual health products continues to affect millions of school-age girls in the developing world. In India, women and girls face serious challenges when it comes to managing their periods. A recent report by the NGO Dasra found that as many as 23 million girls in India drop out of school annually due to issues with menstrual health management. School-age girls not only lack proper menstrual health management facilities, but also access to sanitary napkins and logical awareness of menstruation. Some are forced to use improvised materials, such as rags or scraps of old clothing – many girls and women use the same cloths over and over, without understanding how to properly clean them.
In February, 2020 One Global Village will lead an educational and medical mission to Bhopal, India. One Global Village is committed to bringing education and awareness to this global issue through our Menstrual Health Management Program. With the help of Rounding Up Undies, we will be able to provide menstrual health products along with comprehensive education to ensure these girls can manage their menstruation and stay in school.
Similar to the RUU project in Gulu, Uganda, we will be providing menstrual health management kits that include washable, reusable sanitary pads. We have partnered with a local India NGO, GioCare Cloth Pads, to provide the girls with a product that with proper care and use will last for up to 3 years. Our kits will also include 3 pairs of underwear, 2 washcloths, a soaking bag, and washing soap.
How can you help?
– Round Up some Undies! We are collecting girl’s sizes 10, 12, 14, & 16, and women’s size 5 (girl’s size 16 and women’s size 5 are the same size), preferably cotton-blend briefs. We will also be collecting washcloths.
– Give a cash donation to purchase the Giocare cloth pads and washing soap in India. Donate here.
3 pairs of Undies + 2 washcloths + $10 will provide 1 school-age girl essential menstrual health management products for 3 YEARS!
Donations can be given to Abigail Hayo, Lisa Buchholz, Ryan Beasley, or Jessica Buchholz.
*note: Our menstrual health management kits are given in cloth drawstring bags which have been generously handmade and donated. If you have interest in this sewing project, please contact us! Don’t have time to sew but have fabric you’d like to donate? We will gladly accept quilter’s 100% or poly-cotton blend fabric, preferably 1 yard or longer.