Alleviating Period Poverty Through Sustainable Circular Fashion

FASHION THAT SUSTAINS THE PLANET - AND BREAKS THE SILENCE ON PERIOD POVERTY

The Mwali project was never just an idea - it was a response to a conversation, a need, a reality that couldn’t be ignored. It started in the informal settlements of Nairobi, where some of our artisans work, listening to their stories, understanding their challenges. In one of these conversations, the topic turned to the cost of living. Among the everyday struggles, one issue stood out - the unaffordability of sanitary pads. Some mothers spoke about sacrificing their own necessities to buy pads for their daughters. Others admitted they simply couldn’t afford them at all.

The impact was devastating - girls missing school due to period poverty, women forced to rely on unhygienic alternatives, and an overwhelming sense of indignity that no one should have to endure.

At first, my instinct was to find a way to subsidise the cost. But that felt like a temporary fix, not a sustainable solution. Besides, disposable pads presented another issue - waste management in areas with little to no proper disposal systems. The thought of contributing to an already strained environment didn’t sit right. So, I researched. and to my delight, I found a solution - washable, reusable sanitary pads that we could make from our very own fabric waste.

This shift was more than just practical - it was transformative. It meant that what was once discarded could now restore dignity, empower communities, and create lasting change. Every off-cut, sampling fabric, once destined for landfill or repurposed as furniture filling, now serves a greater purpose. Every upcycled pad is a step toward menstrual equity, ensuring that girls can stay in school and women no longer have to choose between dignity and survival.

By integrating sustainability with social impact, we’ve created something meaningful - not just a product, but a movement (led by the selfless Lillian), toward zero-waste menstrual health solutions . A circular system that keeps waste out of the environment while supporting underserved communities in Nairobi, Kajiado, Kisumu and Machakos. We believe that this is the kind of change that lasts and the joy it gives the team in pulling together the activations is simply infectious.

Want to be part of this journey? Here’s how you can learn more.

Written by Liza Colbeck

A NAME WITH PURPOSE

It was important to give this project an identity of its own - one that spoke directly to the communities it serves. We didn’t want to simply name it In Our Name, because this wasn’t just about us. It was about the women and girls who would benefit from it, who deserved a name that resonated with their experiences. So Mwali was born - a Swahili word for both woman and girl, a reflection of strength, dignity, and the journey in between.

All Mwali Dignity Packs are distributed free of charge. Each pack includes a minimum of five reusable pads, a discreet storage bag, detergent soap, and clear care instructions - everything needed to navigate menstruation with confidence and ease. By August 2025, we will introduce enhanced absorbency pads and larger sizes to meet the diverse needs of the communities we serve.

We’ve been running this program for a couple of years, and know that each pad lasts between 15 to 18 months, and now, we’re circling back - to replenish, to expand, and to offer Mwali to even more women and girls.

ROOTED IN COMMUNITY

We believe that true change happens when people come together - not just to give, but to listen, learn, and share. That’s why our distribution efforts are more than a simple handout.

Every community we support faces daily struggles that extend far beyond period poverty. So, when we visit, we don’t just drop off dignity packs and leave - we donate food, cook together, we share stories, we laugh, and we create safe spaces where conversations flow freely. It’s a day of connection, of trust, of breaking down barriers.

Our incredible team, are trained to lead educational sessions, ensuring that every activation is not just about distribution but about empowerment.

We focus on:

Education - Leading open and engaging workshops on reproductive health, ensuring both women and men understand the importance of menstrual care and community support.

Shifting Mindsets - Tackling menstrual stigma at its roots by actively engaging men and boys in the conversation. We’ve built a cohort of male advocates who lead sessions for young boys and men, creating a positive awareness andacceptance.

Sustainability - Providing a long-term, a circular eco-conscious supply of reusable menstrual products made from our waste fabric.

UNBOWED. UNBROKEN

Where the sun meets the earth, they rise.
Women - unshaken, unstoppable.
Their hands weave stories, their steps carve legacies.
They do not follow. They lead.

In their shadow, communities flourish.
They carry weight, yet walk tall.
They wear resilience like silk, strength like armour.
Each stitch, a revolution. Each thread, a future.

Like mountains, they do not bow.
Their pulse drives generations.
Their presence shapes the world.
They are not the inspiration. They are the blueprint.

This is power. This is purpose. This is Africa - worn, woven, and unstoppable.

Upcycled for Impact. Empowering Women. Eliminating Waste.

Alleviating Period Poverty Through Sustainable Circular Fashion

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