Ugandan girls often miss school because they don’t have pads and are ashamed and uncomfortable during menstruation. Many don’t understand what is happening when their periods first start and they are often humiliated at school or made to feel dirty by other pupils. This means that girls are disadvantaged at school and poorly equipped to make decisions about their sexual and reproductive health leading to poorer educational and health outcomes, driving gender inequality.

Irise works with local partners to deliver a long lasting solution for girls. We recruit local entrepreneurs to sell a range of more affordable sanitary products including menstrual cups and a reusable pad we manufacture in Uganda. We train local stakeholders to integrate menstrual health education into their work so that girls understand how to use products comfortably and safely. We deliver behavior change campaigns to mobilize the community to support girls to access what they need.