The Pad Initiative
Bridging EdTech and Menstrual Health for Girls’ Education
Edulet Africa being a social enterprise edtech company based in Kenya. While deploying innovative learning technologies in schools, Edulet Africa discovered a persistent challenge: low attendance among girls, particularly during certain weeks of the month. Upon deeper inquiry, it became clear that menstrual health was a major barrier—many girls were missing up to a week of school every month due to their periods.
Context in Kenya: Period Poverty and Education
Across Kenya, period poverty remains a significant barrier to girls’ education. Reports and studies, including those cited by the BBC and other organizations, highlight that thousands of schoolgirls are forced to skip classes during menstruation due to lack of access to affordable sanitary products.
Some girls resort to unsafe and makeshift materials such as old rags, newspapers, sand, or even feathers to manage their periods.
This not only leads to embarrassment and absenteeism but also serious health risks, including infections and long-term reproductive health complications.
In rural and marginalized communities, the lack of menstrual hygiene products contributes directly to the high dropout rates among adolescent girls.
This reality makes it clear: technology alone cannot solve the education gap if basic health and dignity needs are unmet.
Edulet Africa’s Response: Introducing Re-Usable Sanitary Pads
In response to this challenge, Edulet Africa expanded its mission. Alongside deploying educational technology solutions, the enterprise now works with schools to interview, design, and distribute re-usable sanitary pads to schoolgirls. This approach ensures that the integration of edtech goes hand in hand with tackling the real-world challenges preventing girls from accessing education consistently.
By producing and providing re-usable sanitary pads, Edulet Africa addresses both the education gap and the period poverty gap, creating a holistic solution.
Benefits of Re-Usable Sanitary Pads
Reusable sanitary pads are a more cost-effective, eco-friendly, and often more comfortable option than disposable pads, reducing landfill waste and saving money over time. They promote better menstrual hygiene, are suitable for various flow levels, and offer a more dignified menstrual solution for many women and girls.
- Affordability and Cost-Effectiveness
- Environmental Sustainability
- Educational Continuity
- Health and Safety
- Community and Skills Development
- Community Empowerment
Delivery
Ways Edulet Africa could deliver the re-usable sanitary pads
These three delivery models can even work together: direct distribution for efficiency, partnerships for sustainability, and health education for long-term impact.
Direct School Distribution During EdTech Deployments
Edulet Africa hand out re-usable pads directly to girls when visiting schools to deploy edtech solutions, ensuring immediate access while also training them on proper usage and care.
Partnership with Local Women’s Groups and Community Organizations
By working with women-led groups and NGOs, Edulet produce and distribute pads within the community, creating jobs while making the initiative sustainable and locally owned.
School Menstrual Health Education Programs with Pad Kits
Edulet Africa organize workshops in schools that combine pad distribution with menstrual hygiene education, empowering girls with knowledge while also reducing stigma among both girls and boys.
Testimonial
What are Girls and parents saying
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