Schoolgirls with their BeautyWaps 

Girls missed school every months 

Many Kenyan girls miss school during their periods because they can’t a ord sanitary pads. Girls often use a piece of old cloth for protection, but it can easily leak and stain her uniform. If a girl stains her uniform with blood, other students might bully her and shame her. “Boys could laugh at me and make fun about my soiled clothes and I would be very embarrassed so I would go home or tie my school sweater around the waist,” said one girl from Destiny School in Nairobi. Over time, girls miss exams and drop out of school. Many families don’t talk to their girls about menstruation and reproductive health, so a young girl who starts her period can fi nd herself alone and confused about the changes she is going through. The lack of information around reproductive health can also lead to early pregnancy. It’s a major injustice.

‘BeautyWaps’ innovative concept enables girls to stay in school

BeautyWaps is meeting these challenges by providing reusable sanitary pads to those schoolgirls. This solution enables them to go to school every day of the month. A BeautyWaps kit contains 7 durable, cotton pads that last over 5 years. That’s the time they need to fi nish 12 years of schooling. We also provide 2 pairs of panties to make sure the girls can actually wear the pads, and soap for washing them. The kit also contains an illustrated sex education leafl et. Racheal and Susan distribute the kits and instruct the girls how to use the pads followed by an honest discussion about reproductive health, STIs, and early pregnancy, all of which cause girls to drop out of school. Racheal says, “The girls are always so excited about the BeautyWaps because of the fact that they can use them over and over again and they also love the beautiful design and prints on the BeautyWaps. They also say that Beautywaps do not cause any discomfort unlike the disposable pads. The quality of girl’s education and self-esteem has been greatly increased, no more absenteeism, no more sexual favors in exchange of pads etc.”

“I have been using BeautyWaps for the past one year and I like them because they are comfortable, easy to use and to wash, now I do not have to worry about buying sanitary towels every month or being absent from school when I am on my period. I love the fact that they are reusable!" Schoolgirl from Destiny school

“The girls are always so excited about the BeautyWaps because of the fact that they can use them over and over again and they also love the beautiful design and prints on the BeautyWaps. They also say that Beautywaps do not cause any discomfort unlike the disposable pads. The quality of girl’s education and self-esteem has been greatly increased, no more absenteeism, no more sexual favors in exchange of pads etc.” Racheal, Manageure Kenya