Worldwide, period poverty is a huge, unspoken issue, causing widespread gender inequality against females. In Malawi, over 50% of females are unable to afford sanitary products and are forced to use uncomfortable and unhygienic cloth rags to ‘manage’ their periods.

Period poverty is also a leading factor for females not attending school, or work, undermining female achievement, empowerment and independence. Ufulu distributes free menstrual cups to women and girls in Malawi via educational workshops. Prior to receiving their cup, 70% of these girls were absent from school 3-4 days every month, simply because they couldn’t afford sanitary products. Similarly, period poverty affects many women’s ability to work and provide for their families – 36% of females that have received cups from UFULU are single mothers.

This project will provide 600 Cup Starter Packs, including a reusable silicone menstrual cup which is safe, hygienic and can be used for up to 10 years. Soap and a tin are also provided with instructions for sterilising, and advice and support from a team of appointed ‘Cup Ladies’. The starter packs will be distributed every week to girls and women between the ages of 9 and 56 during Cup Workshops run by four Ufulu Cup Ladies across a wide area of rural Malawi. With this support, 600 women and girls will be freed from period poverty for 10 years.