Africa Pads
In Sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in every 10 girls either misses one-fourth of their school days or drops out altogether due to the unavailability or unaffordability of menstrual products. This situation puts them at a higher risk of early marriage and contracting AIDS, which further perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty. During their periods, these girls are forced to stay at home and rest on a mattress of straw for an entire week. To make matters worse, most of them do not even have underwear. Due to the lack of resources, schools in Malawi are unable to provide students with schoolwork to take home. This unfortunate circumstance causes these girls to fall further and further behind in their studies.
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Africa Bags has created a solution to improve the current situation by introducing reusable and washable menstrual pads called Africa Pads.
Africa Pads consist of multiple pads, including three base pads, three thick liners with wings, two thick liners, and five thin liners. Additionally, each kit includes underwear, and a double-sided purse for storage and discreet use. The pads are made entirely of African cotton, which helps to prevent odors and reduce irritation, resulting in a comfortable and happy period experience.
In Malawi, the dropout rate for girls in school is alarmingly high, with significant consequences. According to the United Nations Population Fund, girls who receive less than seven years of education are more likely to be married by age 18, which increases their risk of contracting HIV. Education is a vital tool for empowerment, and Africa Pads is committed to keeping girls in school. By providing these kits, we aim to help girls attend school regularly and achieve their aspirations, resulting in a brighter future for both themselves and Malawi.
In Africa, disposable pads pose a serious environmental and health threat due to the lack of waste management systems. These non-biodegradable pads often end up as litter and can accumulate to a large extent. According to Flow: The Cultural Story of Menstruation, an average woman discards 250 to 300 pounds of pads or tampons in her lifetime. When multiplied by the number of women on the planet, the amount of waste generated is staggering.
To combat this issue, Africa Pads offers a sustainable solution that can last up to five years. This reduces the amount of waste produced by disposable pads and tampons. Additionally, menstrual blood is a natural fertilizer that can be used to nourish plants. The water used to clean Africa Pads can also be repurposed for this purpose.
“Educate a girl and you’ll educate a nation!”
Africa Pads is a self-sustaining business that uses African fabric and local resources, teaches Malawian women to make the pads themselves, and empowers the ladies to run the business and sell the pads locally.​ The Africa Bags villages of Kamweko, Viweme and Chintheche are now producing Africa Pads. Africa Pads has teamed up with Rotary International to implement a $60,000 grant to provide schoolgirls with pad kits and underwear to ensure they can stay in school. Additionally, the Africa Pads Grant is constructing private girls' restrooms, creating herbal gardens to provide natural organic pain relief, and educating girls about their health to better support them during their monthly cycles.
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For every year a Malawian girl stays in school her earning potential increases 20%! Donate to Africa Pads today by purchasing an Africa Pads kit and changing a girl's life for the better. Remember, educating a girl means educating a nation!