Period Dignity For Women and Young Girls
MWALI
(Woman and young girl in Kiswahili)
The effects of period poverty affect not only women and girls' hygiene, health, and overall well-being but also their ability to attend school or work. Managing menstruation with dignity has become a daily struggle, particularly for women and girls in low-income households. In Africa, where essentials like food, shelter, and healthcare often take precedence, menstrual products are frequently seen as non-essential, resulting in inadequate funding for their purchase.
We decided that washable sanitary pads were the most practical contribution, using our fabrics, local resources, and expertise. Previously, all our fabric waste went to a local upholsterer for furniture and upholstery filling. We now upcycle all the waste from our production—fabric hangers, strike-offs, and bulk swatches—into washable sanitary pads. Pieces too small for pads (less than A4 size) continue to support the local upholsterer and are delighted to have successfully developed a sustainable circularity framework that we hope to expand in the future.
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