KIGOMA, Tanzania - Mary Mhila, a 15-year-old student at Buhigwe Secondary School in Kigoma, beamed as she shared her experience:
"Before we received the dignity kits, I was always scared to go to school during my period. I would stay home and miss lessons, afraid of embarrassment. But now, I feel confident and proud to go to school. The pads help me stay in class and learn without fear. I can now dream of a better future because no one should miss out on education because of menstruation."
Mary’s story is a powerful example of how the menstrual health intervention in Kigoma, supported by UNFPA and the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania, is transforming the lives of adolescent girls. This initiative goes beyond addressing immediate needs—it is also paving the way for lasting change in how menstruation is understood and managed, within the broader framework of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
In 2024, the intervention reached a total of 19 schools across Kigoma, providing over 2,300 adolescent girls with dignity kits that included reusable sanitary pads. By distributing these kits, the project directly contributed to improving menstrual hygiene, which in turn supports girls' sexual and reproductive health rights. Access to menstrual health products, combined with education on menstrual hygiene management (MHM), is essential for promoting dignity, health, and equality, especially in rural areas where many girls face immense barriers to education during their periods.
The menstrual health education provided by this project has highlighted the critical connection between menstrual hygiene and broader sexual and reproductive health. Menstruation is not an isolated issue but an integral part of the SRHR framework. Without access to menstrual hygiene products, education, and supportive environments, adolescent girls face increased vulnerability to a range of health risks. Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to infections, reproductive health complications, and, in some cases, long-term health issues. Moreover, lack of access to menstrual health products can lead to girls missing school, which severely impacts their education and future opportunities.
When menstruation is stigmatized or ignored, it undermines girls’ rights to health, education, and well-being. The initiative in Kigoma addresses this by integrating menstrual health into SRHR education, ensuring that girls understand how menstruation is linked to their overall reproductive health. Menstrual health clubs established in schools are an essential part of this educational framework. These clubs provide students with knowledge not only about menstrual hygiene but also about broader issues related to reproductive health, such as puberty, sexual rights, and gender equality.
A total of eight Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) clubs were established across four districts, with two clubs in each district. Each club has 25 members, all of whom receive the necessary tools and support from the project. These clubs, guided by trained teachers, are working together to create an informed and supportive environment for adolescent girls, helping break the stigma around menstruation and educating both girls and boys on menstrual health.
Empowering Girls Through Education and Resources
By offering both dignity kits and critical knowledge on menstrual hygiene, the project is empowering girls to take control of their health and well-being. This empowerment extends beyond menstruation; it helps girls become more informed about their bodies, their rights, and their ability to make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health. Through peer educators and trained teachers, students gain essential information on how to stay healthy during menstruation, how to address menstrual-related issues, and how to protect themselves from potential reproductive health risks.
One key success of the program is how it has increased school attendance and participation. Before receiving dignity kits, many girls faced the difficult decision of staying home during their period, missing lessons, and falling behind in their studies. With the proper tools, these girls can now attend school with confidence, ensuring that menstruation does not derail their education or limit their future aspirations. As Salome, a matron at Kumsenga Secondary School, shared,
“The dignity kits you distributed have influenced attendance and participation of the students in their studies. Therefore, we hope performance will also be increased.”
He for She: A Boy’s Voice for Change
The support for menstrual health has not only been embraced by girls but also by boys who understand the importance of gender equality and the right to education. John Busimba, a 16-year-old student at the same school, shared his perspective:
“Menstruation is not only a problem for girls; it’s something that we all need to care about. My sister and other girls in our school shouldn’t miss classes because of something natural. I support this project because when girls have what they need, they can be more confident and do better in school. We need to stand with girls, just like we want them to stand with us. It’s about equality.”
John’s words echo the broader cultural shift that this project is fostering—a movement where both girls and boys are working together to ensure equal opportunities for all students. By involving boys in the conversation about menstrual health, the initiative is helping to dismantle stigma and promote an inclusive environment for all students, regardless of gender.
The Broader Community Impact
Beyond the immediate benefits for individual girls, the intervention is helping shift cultural attitudes toward menstruation, making it part of a broader conversation about sexual and reproductive health rights. Community leaders, such as Mr. Ilankunda, the Kumtundu village president, are beginning to see the link between menstrual health and SRHR. At the distribution of the dignity kits, Mr. Ilankunda committed to advocating for menstrual hygiene in village meetings, saying,
“Through these efforts, the community will be gradually changing, and as a representative of my community, I promise this will be one of my agenda items during the village meeting.”
The collaboration between UNFPA and the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania, has not only addressed the immediate need for menstrual products but has fostered long-term cultural change. This partnership is also integral in promoting the broader goals of SRHR, such as gender equality, reproductive health education, and ensuring that girls and women have the resources and knowledge to make informed choices about their bodies and health.
In addition to the efforts within schools, Borderless Tanzania Limited, a Japanese company that manufactures sanitary pads in Tanzania also contributed by distributing 6,000 sanitary pads in the Kigoma region in 2024. Half of these pads—3,000—were distributed to first time young mothers in refugee camps, while the other half went to the host community, specifically targeting first-time mothers aged 10-24 years. This extension of the program’s reach highlights the far-reaching impact of menstrual health efforts, addressing the needs of young mothers who also face significant barriers to menstrual hygiene and health.
A Call for Continued Investment in Menstrual Health
The success of this program is a powerful demonstration of how linking menstrual hygiene management with sexual and reproductive health rights can create lasting change for girls. But the need for continued investment is clear. Many girls in Kigoma, and across Tanzania, still lack access to basic menstrual health resources and education. To ensure that more girls can stay in school, achieve their academic goals, and lead healthy, empowered lives, further resources and support are crucial.
UNFPA Tanzania has been at the forefront of advocating for and implementing policies and programs that support the sexual and reproductive health rights of adolescent girls.
“By addressing menstrual health within the broader SRHR agenda, UNFPA works tirelessly to ensure that girls and young women are empowered to make informed decisions about their bodies, receive the necessary health services, and enjoy equal access to education”, said Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA Representative to Tanzania.
The ongoing commitment to menstrual health by UNFPA, in partnership with The Embassy of Japan in Tanzania and other key stakeholders like Borderless Tanzania Limited and KIWOHEDE is transforming lives and helping to build a future where no girl is left behind.
The continued partnership between UNFPA and the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania has proven the importance of collective action. By investing in menstrual health, we are not only addressing immediate needs but also contributing to the broader SRHR goals of reducing gender inequality and empowering girls to reach their full potential. Every girl who receives a dignity kit and education on menstrual hygiene is one step closer to achieving her dreams—free from the barriers that menstruation once posed.
UNFPA Dignity kit contents
Together, we can continue to ensure that menstruation no longer stands in the way of girls' education, health, or future. With the right resources, knowledge, and support, girls can thrive in school, at home, and in their communities, becoming agents of change in their own lives and beyond.
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Media Inquiries:
Dr. Warren Bright
UNFPA Communications Analyst,
United Republic of Tanzania
Phone: +255 764 43 44 45
Email: bwarren@unfpa.org
