Helping Girls Stay in School
We believe that no girl should miss school, just because they are on their period.
Without access to clean water, good toilets and sanitary towels, girls can miss up to a week of lessons every month when they are on their period. They fall behind in class, and can be forced to drop out of school altogether.
We're giving girls access to clean water and toilets, so that they can manage their periods with dignity.
We're also training teachers to run menstrual hygiene classes, where girls are taught how to make reusable sanitary towels. At the classes they have open discussions about periods, which is helping to reduce the stigma and makes girls feel more comfortable.
Grace's Story
Grace is 16 and from Uganda. She used to miss lessons when she was on her period.
"I would come to school late because I would have to go home at lunch time to change, and it would take me an hour to walk there and back, so I would miss classes in the afternoon."
We've built new latrines with washing facilities at Grace's school, so she can get to lessons on time, and pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.
Help girls like Grace stay in school
World Menstrual Hygiene Day
We are proud members of the Menstrual Hygiene Day Partnership. This year's theme was #TimeForAction. We're taking action against the stigma surrounding periods, and the prevalance of poor menstrual hygiene by building toilets and washing facilities for girls.
*In Sub-Saharan Africa, 1/10 girls miss school during their period
*Across rural Africa, 9 million girls will never attend school
*Girls are forced to miss 1 week of school each month because of their period
To find out more about all of the Street Child projects head to the Street Child website, What we do.
