Menstrual health fundraising reaches 85 percent of target
What you need to know:
- The HER Movement is a campaign that is based on raising awareness among adolescent girls and young women about sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as providing them with options such as contraceptives
Dar es Salaam. HER Movement Tanzania said recently that its recent fundraising gala aimed at supporting the Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) Programme for Kisarawe District has been successful by 85 percent.
The HER Movement is a campaign that is based on raising awareness among adolescent girls and young women about sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as providing them with options such as contraceptives.
The recent fund-raising event gathered passionate advocates, stakeholders, and donors, united by a mission to empower adolescent girls and young women with the knowledge and resources needed to manage their sexual and reproductive health (SRH), combat gender-based violence (GBV), and access youth-friendly services.
Founder and Executive Director of HER Movement Tanzania, Ms Hortencia Nuhu, emphasised the importance of menstrual health for the well-being and empowerment of women and adolescent girls.
She said that despite menstruation being a normal part of life, it is often constrained by cultural taboos and discriminatory social norms, leading to unhygienic practices.
"Statistics show that, on any given day, over 300 million women worldwide are menstruating. However, an estimated 500 million women lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management (MHM). This lack of access negatively impacts girls' education, health, and overall development, perpetuating social and economic inequalities," she said.
Ms Nuhu also highlighted the need for multi-sectoral interventions to address these challenges.
"In low-income countries, half of the schools lack adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, crucial for enabling girls and female teachers to manage menstruation. Inadequate sanitary facilities and a lack of access to affordable and quality menstrual hygiene products often result in girls missing classes or even dropping out of school," she noted.
She explained that HER Movement Tanzania is committed to breaking the silence around menstruation, dismantling taboos, and promoting a culture of respect and support for all menstruators.
The organisation’s initiatives include the distribution of sanitary products, the construction of WASH facilities in schools, and educational workshops aimed at dispelling myths and providing accurate information about menstrual health.
HER Movement Tanzania extended heartfelt gratitude to their generous donors and partners, including UN Women, Binti Salha, Marie Stopes, and Her Initiative, whose support and commitment are making a tangible difference in the lives of many.
