Help Globally Engaged Men Workshop Come to Life

I am currently completing my Master’s in International Development at American University. As part of my capstone project, I have designed the Globally Engaged Men  (GEM) Workshop – a participatory curriculum that engages men and creates champions for female health. This workshop is for men who are looking for actionable ways to provide for and protect the women and adolescent girls in their lives, but who have been ignored or embarrassed to ask questions.

 

You might be asking yourself – why should men be “engaged” in menstrual health work? Well, as primary decision-makers and breadwinners, men play a vital role in ensuring women and girls can manage their menstruation safely and with dignity.

 

In May 2022, I will be traveling to Nairobi, Kenya to implement this workshop alongside my co-facilitator Alfred Muli, who is a rockstar and menstrual health champion in Kenya. On International Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28), we will be joining forces with a group of female health advocates in Nairobi to support and provide donations to women and girls living in informal settlements. Since the early 2000s, Kenya has been at the forefront of menstrual health advocacy and policy. In 2004, Kenya became the first country to abolish sales taxes for menstrual products. And since 2011, the Kenyan government has been budgeting about $3 million per year to distribute free sanitary pads in schools in low-income communities.

 

Over the last few months, I have been applying for grants to fund the implementation of the GEM Workshop, but unfortunately, these grant-making organizations haven’t been able to support this project.

 

So, I’ve decided to turn to my community for support. This is a project that I deeply believe in, and am thrilled to see come to life. At my core, I believe both men and women have a key role to play in fighting for gender equality and dignified healthcare. When we have access to resources and education about our health, we can all make informed choices that keep ourselves and our families safe.

 

If you feel called to support this project, your contribution would be incredibly helpful and would go a very long way.

 

Here's the budget:

Buses/Overland Travel $850

East African Visa $101

Lodging in Nairobi $900

Sticky Notes $25

Flip Charts $40

Markers $15

Pens $10

Name Tags $10

Buzzers $20

Hershey Kisses $10

Participant's Handouts $70

Certificates of Completion $40

Print/Bind Facilitator's Handbook $110

Printing Menstrual Health Book for Daughters $600

Facilitator Fee $475

Food for Workshop Session $550

Photographer for Menstrual Health Day event $250

Internet Bundle for Virtual Prototype ($15/person) $60

 

TOTAL = $4,136