Menstrual Hygiene Without Borders
Issues surrounding menstruation and menstrual hygiene are exacerbated by poverty, structural inequities, the lack of affordable resources, and accessible information to improve menstrual hygiene management, specifically among Bangladeshi adolescent girls. Additionally, poor menstrual hygiene leads to unfavorable mental health outcomes and urogenital infections, further affecting sexual well-being and fertility.
Studies have shown that approximately 500 million females globally are vulnerable to the health risk associated with immense period poverty. A report from the National Hygiene Baseline Survey highlighted that only 6 percent of adolescent girls in Bangladesh received menstrual hygiene education at schools and at least 40 percent of schoolgirls in Bangladesh report missing school due to the negative perceptions surrounding menstruation and lack of proper menstrual products such as pads, tampons or reusable napkins.
With this knowledge, this fundraiser aims to target 60 adolescent girls over two sessions, by providing them with the resources and educational materials needed to improve their menstrual hygiene. The groundwork will be done by Wreetu, who works to break period taboos and normalize period talks by empowering adolescent girls and women by educating them and their communities together with our interactive sessions.
These sessions will aim to reduce the stigma surrounding menstrual health while building a period-friendly environment for adolescent girls in Bangladeshi society. We hope each and every one of you recognizes the reality of these young women and join in our attempt to better their everyday lives.
This project is being undertaken by Bachalorai’s Summer Experience Programme (SEP) cohort in partnership with on-the-ground partners Wreetu. The SEP cohort consists of a group of public health graduate and undergraduate students, who are passionate about establishing public health initiatives that target marginalized and vulnerable populations, intending to achieve equity in healthcare access and delivery across the board.
The packages distributed to each girl by Wreetu will include:
- Happy Period Kit with Reusable Pads (1 year supply)- 7.2 CAD/5.8 USD/490 TK
- Comic Book on Menstruation and Women's hygiene - 3.5 CAD/2.8 USD/240 TK
- Reusable Masks (2 pieces)- 1.30 CAD/1.06 USD/90 TK
- Underwear (3 pieces)- 6.2 CAD/5 USD/420 TK
- Hand Sanitizer- 1.16 CAD/0.94 USD/80 TK
- Carry Bag- 0.58 CAD/0.47 USD/ 40 TK
For local donations, bKash at 01636430962 and message “MHWB” to confirm your donation.
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The social movement has been inspiring many efforts like ours. It helps synergize our efforts towards a common, holistic goal. We urge you to join the movement using #BacharLorai on your relevant social media posts. For information on existing initiatives from us, please visit our Facebook and Instagram page.
Let's work in tandem to get through this crisis together. We are grateful for your support.
