Better Life for Girls Project

Give Girls a Better Life by Ending Period Poverty

Poverty, lack of knowledge, taboos and period shame keeps many girls from their studies

Give Girls a Better Life by Ending Period Poverty

Menstruation is natural. Yet, for many girls around the world this is a time of worry, shame and isolation.

As a result, one in ten girls will skip class when they’re on their periods. Many stay at home, feeling isolated and ashamed when they lack access to sanitary pads and adequate facilities to manage their periods safely.

Our Better Life for Girls project educates girls and their communities about menstrual and reproductive health while also providing Dignity Kits with vital sanitary products.

During educational talks, the Good Neighbours team discusses fertility, family planning and menstrual symptoms. Our Dignity Kits, including soap, pairs of underwear, reusable pads, and menstrual bracelets to track their periods are also distributed to the girls.

Men are also encouraged to participate in the sessions so they understand menstruation and the importance of good menstrual hygiene.

Give Girls a Better Life by Ending Period Poverty

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Barbara's Story

Barbara is 14 years old. She was born in Uganda, East Africa. “On the first day of my first menstrual period, my friend tied her sweater around me to hide my stained skirt, and I left school that day. A piece of old, dirty cloth was given to me by my grandma as my first sanitary pad." "I’m still trying to find a better option for sanitary pads. I cannot go to school during my period. 5 days per month, I miss 2 months of school life each year."

Janat’s Story

Through the workshops she attended, Janat from Kimasa Primary School learned more about her rights as a girl that inspired her to dream. "My dream is to study at Makerere University and get a good job. I will encourage my fellow girls in my village to stay in school and get a good job so that they can support themselves and their family.“

Villagers in Mehe, Cameroon

Women and girls often suffer in silence, excluded from day-to-day activities during menstruation, due to myths and taboos surrounding periods. They also rely on rags, newspapers, banana leaves, and old clothing, as menstrual products have no place in the household budget.

How to Give

Donate $25 and give a dignity kit to a girl in Africa today. Your donation will help provide soap, pairs of underwear, reusable pads, and menstrual tracker bracelets to a girl in our partner community in Africa.

“It's not fair we don't have the same opportunities as boys because we have to stay home so many days."

Good Neighbours Australia adheres to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct, which is recognised as good practice in NGO management. All donations $2 and over are tax deductible.