Facts
Background
Millions of girls in Sub-Saharan Africa are dis-empowered by the simple biological process of menstruation. Affordable and hygienic sanitary protection is not available to girls in many areas. They resort to the use of unhygienic rags and cloths which puts them at the risk of infections.
Studies show that every year of schooling increasing a girl’s future earning power by 10 to 20 percent. In addition, each additional year a girl is in school can reduce the risk of HIV infection and delay a girl’s first pregnancy.
Educated girls are more likely to become empowered women; they are more likely to take control of their lives, have economic security, and raise fewer and healthier children who will in turn be more likely to be educated themselves.
Approximately 70%, of Zimbabwean’s live in rural poverty; earning an average of $200 a year.
The education of these children is critical for Zimbabwean’s economic development. Educating girls is widely regarded as one of the best ways to improve the economy and health of developing countries.
Girls, however, consistently fare less well academically than boys. Academic performance is closely correlated with school attendance, and absenteeism, and dropout rates are high for rural Zimbabwean girls. Studies have shown that these high rates are often linked to their reproductive biology.
Proposed Solution
The use of reusable sanitary pads. Reusable sanitary pads are a sustainable and easily renewable resource, allowing the girls to wash and reuse them rather than having to buy disposable pads every month. In addition, they are comparatively inexpensive and environmentally friendly. The social benefit of the implementation of this concept can greatly mitigate the disadvantages and challenges many dis-empowered girls endure during their process of maturing.
The Goal of YaMa is to provide a quantity of 1000 Yama Hygiene Kits. This will take care of the immediate need of the girls in the program.
- 1 in 10 African girls miss school because of menstruation.
- Rural girls lose an average of 500 days of schooling due to menstruation, from when they begin their cycle at the age of 10 years to when they finish high school at the age of 18 years.
- 20% of rural school girls who menstruate do not attend school while they are menstruating because they can not afford sanitary ware.
- 45% of rural girls use old clothes and rags, 29% use cotton wool, 18% used pads and 3% use newspapers and leaves.
- 72% of rural primary school girls that menstruate do not use sanitary pads in Zimbabwe.
Background
Millions of girls in Sub-Saharan Africa are dis-empowered by the simple biological process of menstruation. Affordable and hygienic sanitary protection is not available to girls in many areas. They resort to the use of unhygienic rags and cloths which puts them at the risk of infections.
Studies show that every year of schooling increasing a girl’s future earning power by 10 to 20 percent. In addition, each additional year a girl is in school can reduce the risk of HIV infection and delay a girl’s first pregnancy.
Educated girls are more likely to become empowered women; they are more likely to take control of their lives, have economic security, and raise fewer and healthier children who will in turn be more likely to be educated themselves.
Approximately 70%, of Zimbabwean’s live in rural poverty; earning an average of $200 a year.
The education of these children is critical for Zimbabwean’s economic development. Educating girls is widely regarded as one of the best ways to improve the economy and health of developing countries.
Girls, however, consistently fare less well academically than boys. Academic performance is closely correlated with school attendance, and absenteeism, and dropout rates are high for rural Zimbabwean girls. Studies have shown that these high rates are often linked to their reproductive biology.
Proposed Solution
The use of reusable sanitary pads. Reusable sanitary pads are a sustainable and easily renewable resource, allowing the girls to wash and reuse them rather than having to buy disposable pads every month. In addition, they are comparatively inexpensive and environmentally friendly. The social benefit of the implementation of this concept can greatly mitigate the disadvantages and challenges many dis-empowered girls endure during their process of maturing.
The Goal of YaMa is to provide a quantity of 1000 Yama Hygiene Kits. This will take care of the immediate need of the girls in the program.