Empowering 40000 Girls&Women-Unite 4Menstrual Hygiene Day'26

Background

Every May 28th, the world observes Menstrual Hygiene Day, a pivotal occasion to advocate for dignity, health, and the right to opportunity for every girl and woman. This year, CEDIL Global with incountry partners is launching a transformative pilot campaign—to raise funds for 40,000 menstrual products (Reusable Menstrual cup that is FDA registered with alife span of 10 years) to be distributed in 2026 with a launch planned during May 28th MH Day, in support of the 40,000 vulnerable girls and women across eight African countries: DRC, South Sudan, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Liberia, Kenya, and Ghana. By providing 5,000 quality pads to each country as a pilot, our mission is to break persistent barriers to education, health, and self-determination, reaching the most marginalized communities by Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026.

Why This Campaign?
Across sub-Saharan Africa, millions of girls and women lack access to basic menstrual hygiene products and education. According to UNESCO, 1 in 10 African schoolgirls misses school during menstruation, which can add up to 20% of the school year. In some regions, closer to 1 in 4 girls may skip school entirely for lack of longterm reusable cups, while others use unsafe materials such as rags, leaves, or even newspaper, risking infection and shame. The need for quality menstrual solutions is especially critical for those in refugee settlements, fishing villages, hilly and hard-to-reach areas, and remote schools. With each $14 given that includes a cost for 1 10-year life span menstrual cup including health education, community sensitisation and distribution costs, you bring hope and dignity to one girl, and for this campaign we aim to raise raise $70,000 for each of the 8 targeted countries to deliver hope and dignity to 5000 girls.

Key Challenge

Statistics & Background

DRC 5,000 Menstrual Cups required.

Refugee settings, improvised materials

Over 5 million internally displaced women and girls; 70% lack access to safe menstrual products. Refugee camps in eastern DRC face acute shortages and unsafe alternatives.

South Sudan 5,000 Menstrual Cups required.

Conflict-affected communities, distribution gaps

Only 16% of women and girls in rural and conflict communities have access to menstrual hygiene products. Many miss up to 25% of school days each year.

Uganda 5,000 Menstrual Cups required.

School absenteeism, rural barriers

34% of Ugandan girls report missing school during menstruation, especially in isolated regions and among South Sudanese refugees in the north.

Malawi 5,000 Menstrual Cups required;

Fishing communities, isolation: 1 in 3 girls in lakeshore districts lacks access to menstrual pads, with significant stigma in male-dominated fishing communities.

Zambia 5,000 Menstrual Cups required.

Remote schools, poverty: In remote provinces, up to 75% of women use cloth or paper instead of pads. Many girls drop out of school early due to period poverty.

Liberia 5,000 Menstrual Cups required.

Post-conflict challenges, supply shortages: Half of Liberian schools lack sanitation facilities, and 60% of adolescent girls lack regular access to menstrual products.

Kenya 5,000 Menstrual Cups required

Hilly regions, difficult access: Kenya loses more than 840,000 learning days annually due to period poverty; in hilly west and northern regions, 65% of girls lack access to pads.

Ghana 5,000 Menstrual Cups required

Remote schools, cultural stigma :1 in 5 rural schoolgirls in Ghana has never used a sanitary pad; cultural taboos and high costs are major barriers.

 Experiential Stories: Voices from the Field

DRC: Amina, 15, from a refugee settlement: “For me, a pad is freedom. Without one, I miss classes and hide away. With support, I walk proudly to school every day.”

South Sudan: Mary, 13, in a conflict zone: “I share one cloth with my sisters. Sometimes, I stay home for days. Pads would let me feel normal and dream of becoming a teacher.”

Uganda: Rose, 16, in a northern refugee community: “Menstruation shouldn’t stop anyone from learning. When I got my first pad, I finally felt confident in class.”

Malawi: Faith, 14, from a lakeshore fishing village: “I used to fear my period every month. Now, with help, I can go to school and help my mother at the market.”

Zambia: Loveness, 15, in an isolated school: “I missed tests because of my period. Pads make it possible for me to stay in school. My dream is to become a nurse.”

Liberia: Blessing, 12, in a rural classroom: “Sometimes I use leaves or tissues. When I see other girls with pads, I wish I could have one too. With a pad, I could play sports and not worry.”

Kenya: Mercy, 14, in the Kenyan highlands: “The hills are steep and the journey to school is hard. Having pads means I don’t have to choose between my education and my dignity.”

Ghana: Abena, 13, in a remote school: “At home, we don’t talk about periods. I used to feel embarrassed. Now, I want to help other girls understand and feel proud.”

Appeal

Your compassion and generosity can change destinies. For philanthropists, foundations, and global citizens, your contribution will provide more than a product; it will restore dignity, support school attendance, and foster leadership among Africa’s future women. As a Kenyan teacher says, “When girls have what they need, they show up, learn, and lead.”

Country statistics emphasize the urgency: In DRC, 7 out of 10 girls lack safe products. In Uganda, period poverty is one of the top three reasons for dropout among adolescent girls. In Ghana, girls in rural regions are twice as likely to miss a week of school each term due to lack of pads.

By giving to this campaign, you help build a generation of confident, healthy, and ambitious young women. Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to a future where no girl is left behind because of her period.

How to Give

• Donate through Every.org by clicking on the link: https://www.every.org/friends-of-cedil-global-usa?utm_campaign=donate-link#/donate/card

Final Message

This Menstrual Hygiene Day, stand with CEDIL Global and become a champion for 40,000 girls and women in Africa. Your support will bring vital menstrual solutions in May, vital education, and brighter futures to the most vulnerable. Together, let’s build a world where opportunity, dignity, and hope flow freely for all.

Thank you for believing in every girl’s potential and for making a world of difference.