It has long been known that if you educate a girl you educate a family, but it is also true that she is likely to stay in education longer, reducing her risk of early marriage and multiple pregnancies. Many girls quit school at the end of their primary education because of the cost associated with going to school, and buying period pads is often the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Young women want to contribute to economic growth and unless there is equality this will be difficult to achieve.
World Population Day highlights issues associated with population, such as gender equality, family planning, poverty, maternal health and human rights. The population is now 7.7 billion with the ramifications of this felt especially in the developing world. The UN highlights that discussion of population should focus on equality and equal opportunities and greater opportunities for women.
The feedback that we have been getting from our partner groups in Kenya is really heart warming. They are reporting tremendous success with keeping girls in school and they can see first hand that supplying them with a pack of washable pads is truly life enhancing to the poorest in their communities. Many of these girls will have greater autonomy making choices that will enhance the rest of their lives.