Magobini Secondary School, located in the rural Moshi District of Tanzania's Kilimanjaro region, is one of the many schools benefitting from Comfy Care12’s transformative initiative aimed at improving menstrual health management for adolescent girls.

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For students like those at Magobini Secondary School, menstrual health is a critical issue. Located about 30 kilometers from Moshi’s city center, the school serves 540 students, including 330 adolescent girls. These students face unique challenges in managing menstruation due to the lack of privacy, inadequate access to water, and the high cost of disposable sanitary products. In rural areas like Kilimanjaro, 91% of rural shops do not sell sanitary pads, and even when available, the products are often too expensive for families living below the poverty line.

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This lack of access to affordable menstrual hygiene products is a key factor contributing to the high rates of school absenteeism and dropout among adolescent girls. In fact, in Tanzania, nearly 48% of schoolgirls miss school during their menstruation, which negatively impacts their education, self-esteem, and future prospects. This issue is even more pronounced in rural regions like Kilimanjaro, where 45% of teenage girls are already mothers or pregnant by the age of 19. Education plays a pivotal role in preventing early childbearing, and by ensuring that schoolgirls have access to menstrual health education and affordable sanitary products, we can break the cycle of disempowerment.

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The comfy Care12 conducted menstrual health and hygiene education sessions for the students to help build their understanding of menstruation and how to manage it effectively. The training included activities like ice-breakers, storytelling, and group discussions to foster a participatory learning environment. Students were encouraged to share their personal experiences, which helps to reduce the stigma surrounding menstruation and promote an open dialogue.

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One such story came from Neema, a Form 3 student, who shared her first menstruation experience with her classmates. "When my first period started, I was in school during study sessions. I felt some wetness and rushed to the latrines, only to discover blood on my panties," Neema explained. "I was terrified and had no idea what was happening. I had to go home that day, and my mother explained that I had grown up and should be cautious around boys."

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Through such storytelling, the training not only educates the girls about menstrual health but also provides emotional support and solidarity. The initiative also helps to eliminate myths and misconceptions about menstruation, allowing young girls to feel more comfortable and confident as they navigate this natural process.

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The Comfy Care12 team also provided reusable sanitary pads that have been manufactured locally, and are designed to be both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. 

 

Made from natural fibres like cotton, hemp, and bamboo, with a waterproof outer layer, these pads can be reused for up to 12 to 18 months, offering a long-term solution to a problem that has plagued rural communities for years.