Hawa Feminist Coalition

Tackling Period Poverty in Somalia by Empowering Women and Girls to Make Reusable Sanitary Pads Using Commonly Found Materials

In Somalia, girls and women face numerous barriers that hinder their ability to manage their health and hygiene needs. Gender inequality, entrenched cultural taboos, and poverty intersect to create a challenging environment, especially for the most vulnerable populations, including internally displaced people, refugees, and individuals with disabilities. A significant aspect of this struggle is period poverty—a pressing issue that prevents countless girls and women from accessing the menstrual hygiene products they need.


Sanitary pads can be prohibitively expensive and often hard to find in many areas, forcing some girls to resort to makeshift solutions like rags or paper. These alternatives are not only uncomfortable but also unhygienic, leading to a range of health issues such as urinary tract infections and reproductive tract infections. Addressing period poverty is essential not only for the health and well-being of these women and girls but also for their rights to education and empowerment, ultimately promoting gender equality.


In response to this urgent need, Hawa Feminist Coalition, with support from the Australian Government, has launched the project “Promotion of Accessibility to Menstrual Hygiene Products Among Women and Adolescent Girls from the Most Vulnerable Community Groups in Somalia.” This initiative aims to empower vulnerable women and adolescent girls by providing them with the knowledge and resources to create their own washable, reusable sanitary pads.


Training and Certification

 

From April 26 to May 5, 2024, we successfully trained over 100 women and adolescent girls from marginalized communities in Garowe, Somalia. The five-day training equipped them with the skills needed to make sanitary pads from locally available materials.

On May 6, 2024, we celebrated their achievements with a certification ceremony, where we honored the trainees and recognized their commitment to learning. Senior officers from the Ministry of Women Development and Family Affairs of Puntland attended the event, reinforcing the importance of supporting women’s development and promoting gender equality in the region.

Networking and Collective Initiatives

 

Following the certification, we hosted a networking session on May 9, 2024, aimed at fostering partnerships among the trainees. We encouraged them to form groups to pool their resources and skills, promoting collective resilience and sustainability. The response was overwhelming, resulting in the formation of several groups, including:

      • Xaali Reusable Pads Production Group (21 members)

      • Milgo Sisters (17 members)

      • Dhool Group (14 members)

      • Carfoon Sisters Enterprise (11 members)

      • Small Collaborative Groups (37 members)

    Each group is now working together to drive their initiatives forward.

     

    Provision of Start-up Kits


    To support the entrepreneurial spirit of these women and girls, Hawa Feminist Coalition provided 500 start-up kits, each containing essential materials for producing reusable sanitary pads. Each kit included design papers, cotton fabric, waterproof fabric, absorbent fabric, thread, scissors, needles, fasteners, and pins, allowing trainees to create at least 50 reusable pads.


    With their new skills and resources, the trainees have already produced approximately 3,000 of the 10,000 pads they aim to manufacture. They are selling these pads at a market price of less than $0.50 each, making menstrual hygiene more accessible to their communities.

    Progress and Impact


    The implementation of the project is on track, with 85% of planned activities completed to date. We are proud to report that the initiative has not only trained and certified 100 vulnerable women and girls but has also helped them establish their own sustainable businesses.


    As we move forward, Hawa Feminist Coalition remains committed to empowering women and girls in Somalia. We believe that by fostering solidarity and collaboration, we can create lasting change. Together, we are breaking the barriers of period poverty, promoting health and hygiene, and championing the rights of girls and women to lead empowered lives.

    Conclusion

     

    The journey toward gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in Somalia is ongoing, but through initiatives like this, we are making significant strides. By addressing period poverty and equipping women with the skills to create their own solutions, we are not only improving health outcomes but also laying the groundwork for economic empowerment and gender equality. Together, we can create a brighter, more equitable future for all women and girls in Somalia.