Empowering Women and Girls
Through Accessible Menstrual Care.
Welcome to My-Period-Buddy,
A movement to democratize the availability of sanitary materials for girls and women in low-income communities. Our mission is to connect every individual, organization, and community who can afford an extra pad to a girl or woman who cannot. We are committed to providing a continuous supply of sanitary materials and educational resources to promote dignified menstrual lives for all.
Welcome to My-Period-Buddy,
A movement to democratize the availability of sanitary materials for girls and women in low-income communities. Our mission is to connect every individual, organization, and community who can afford an extra pad to a girl or woman who cannot. We are committed to providing a continuous supply of sanitary materials and educational resources to promote dignified menstrual lives for all.
How It Works:
1. Sign Up
Create an account as a donor or a recipient. Donors can be individuals or organizations; recipients are girls and women in need.
2. Get Matched
Our platform pairs donors with recipients based on their needs and location.
3. Donate
Donors commit to providing sanitary materials (pads, tampons, etc.) and educational resources to their matched recipients monthly or yearly.
4. Track Your Impact
Donors can track their contributions and witness the difference they’re making in recipients’ lives.
Period Poverty Statistics in the World,
Africa, and Cameroon
Accordingly to a 2018 report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 58% of girls and women in Cameroon cannot afford menstrual products.
– A study conducted in rural Cameroon in 2018 found that 68% of girls and women surveyed could not afford sanitary pads and resorted to using rags, leaves, and other materials during menstruation.
Another study conducted in the North-West region of Cameroon in 2019 found that 86.4% of the girls surveyed missed school during menstruation, with 60% citing a lack of menstrual materials as the main reason.
Period poverty is a widespread problem in Africa, affecting millions of girls and women.
– According to a report by the World Bank, an estimated one in ten girls in sub-Saharan Africa misses school during menstruation, which can lead to a significant loss of educational opportunities. In some countries this number can be as high as one in five.
– A survey conducted by UNICEF in 2018 found that in some African countries, such as Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Mozambique, less than 2% of girls in rural areas have access to sanitary products.
– A study by UNESCO estimates that one in three girls in Africa lacks access to adequate menstrual hygiene management facilities, such as toilets and handwashing facilities, which can further exacerbate the problem of period poverty.
– A survey conducted by the African Coalition for Menstrual Health Management found that in some African countries, such as Tanzania and Uganda, up to 50% of girls miss school during menstruation due to a lack of access to menstrual products and inadequate facilities.
These statistics suggest that period poverty is a significant problem in Africa, affecting a large number of girls and women and hindering their education and well-being.
A survey conducted by Plan International in 2018 found that one in ten girls in the UK cannot afford to buy menstrual products, and 12% of girls have had to improvise sanitary wear due to affordability issues.
– The same survey by Plan International found that in India, 28% of girls miss school during menstruation, and over 70% of girls have no knowledge of menstrual hygiene before their first period.
– A report by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) estimates that over 500 million women and girls globally lack access to basic menstrual hygiene products and facilities.
– A study by UNICEF estimates that in low-income countries, only 27% of schools have adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management.
These statistics suggest that period poverty is a significant problem globally, affecting a large number of girls and women and hindering their education, health, and well-being.
Stories From Our Donors
Hello World, I would like to share this piece with you on what inspired me to become a period buddy with Inyango. Growing up I remember I didn’t even have the opportunity to use a pad every month I had my period(menses). Most often I had to use “Napkins” which some of our parents even considered the best form of Pad back then and even until my university days I still had those days when I would discover my period was around and I had no pad at home and no money at that particular point to buy one. This is to say some things may look small but until we face in the situation then we realize how traumatizing it can be . Take for example how some classmates used to laugh at a female classmate who didn’t notice her Uniform was stained from her monthly flow maybe because she came to school without wearing a Pad. I just wish to encourage someone out there reading this to support this great initiative by sacrificing to put a smile on a girl child .
Message from Marie Noel, period buddy In the U.S.A
Hi, this is Anita my reason for jumping into this period buddy project was that I was able to go through my first menstrual period well as compared to my elder sister Because I was well-educated before time. This gave me the confidence to embrace my new self.
My elder sister wasn’t well educated on the menstrual circle until she got her first and still, she wasn’t given the right information and education about it. So I can imagine little girls who reach this stage and if they’re not so well educated and empowered wouldn’t feel confident about it. Joining this project is one of the best projects I have decided to be a partner. I also have daughters. Preparing others’ daughters is also preparing my girls. Thank you for this opportunity to be part of a change in our community. God bless.
Message from Anita, period buddy in Qatar
I’m a passionate advocate for menstrual health, inspired by the experiences of those who lacked proper information about managing their periods. My Period Buddy is an initiative dedicated to providing both menstrual products and education to girls. I dream of expanding this initiative with more “period buddies” who can distribute pads and knowledge, much like mosquito nets are shared. Let’s support those who can’t afford menstrual products or education. While we hope for free access to pads, let’s take action today to ensure a healthy and dignified period for every girl and woman. Join our movement and make a difference!
While we pray for the day that pads can be available free of charge for girls and women, let’s do the little we can today.
Join the movement, and be the reason a young girl or woman has a healthy and dignified period next month.
Period Buddy Delisa, Cameroon
Stories From Our Girls
I started seeing my period yesterday, I was so happy that I am now a big girl. My mom told me I would have to be very careful how I play with boys, she showed me how to wrap a piece of cloth and told me to put it in my pants, it felt so uncomfortable. I was so excited to start seeing my period because almost all my friends were seeing theirs already but I had no idea it would come with so much discomfort. Thank you my period buddy for my pads now I don’t have to rewash the pieces of cloth.
Message from 13 years old Bih Princess
I started seeing my period when I was 11 years old everyone thought I was too young and even now when I tell people I menstruate they look at me in a funny way I thought I was too young too but with the teachings today I feel better knowing it is normal. For a few months I have pads, some months I don’t so I use pieces of cloth or toilet tissue and because I am slim I feel very uncomfortable and sometimes have bruises on my inner thighs. Thank you so much my period buddy for my pad, it will make my life better and help me to feel comfortable to go to school even when I am on my period.
Message from 12 years old Ndip Jacky
They used to stay in Bamenda with my sister but because of the crises they had to come to live with me, I have four of them who are menstruating in my house from different relatives, with my small business and my own kids most months I don’t even have money to buy them pads and I am afraid they might start looking to boys and men to provide it for them. Thank you so much, my period buddy, for taking this burden off my shoulders and giving my girls a chance to concentrate in school and focus on their bright future.