2025 International Menstrual Hygiene Day

May 28th is International Menstrual Hygiene Day, and at Zharity, we want to highlight the challenges women around the globe face when it comes to accessing appropriate menstrual products.

Zharity recognizes that the lack of access to menstrual products perpetuates inequality and restricts the opportunities for countless individuals. To address this pressing issue, Zharity launched a project to make reusable hygiene pads. 

In 2023, our organization collected and prepared materials and sewed close to 500 reusable feminine hygiene pads to support the Cho Ngafor Foundation, a charity organisation that distributed these pads to women/girls in Cameroon. Having an established local distribution network on the ground, our partner-organisation can ensure that the menstrual pads reach those most in need. 

After the success of our first program, we started making pads for the Nicolas Robinson School in Mekele, Ethiopia.  This school supports about 1300 students from pre-K to Grade 12, of which half are girls.  This part of the country has been affected by war, including their original source of reusable pads for the older girls in the school.  The school provided a great amount of support to the children during the ongoing conflict and also provides education to their students about menstruation and feminine health. Sending reusable pads is a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to menstrual hygiene, especially important for underserved regions.

Since the start of the year, we have sourced, prepared and sewn close to 200 reusable pads which will be transported to the Nicolas Robinson School by our Swiss contact in early June!  We will have now provided over 600 pads for this school alone!  We will continue to make pads this year after summer pause - we will hold material preparation events on August 28 and September 1, 2025.  We are also looking for those who have sewing machines at home to help us sew our next batch of pads, and asking for sewers in the next few weeks. 

Through collaboration, advocacy, and innovative solutions, our team at Zharity  are breaking down barriers and transforming lives. Join us as we create a world where menstrual health and hygiene is no longer a challenge, but a fundamental right for all.

Besides the reusable feminine hygiene pad effort, Zharity makes essential hygiene kits for those in need - locally and internationally. Thanks to your numerous donations, we continue to  provide specific hygiene items to various community agencies to distribute to families and communities  in need. 

Your contribution is vital. Please consider signing up as a verein member, make a monetary donation or donate some of the hygiene items listed on our wishlist.

Interested in more? Please check out our upcoming events.