09/01/2026
So what next? As a founder have you asked this question?
After distributing over 1,000 sanitary pads through Fahra foundation to teens and teachers, I found myself asking how we can sustain menstrual hygiene projects in schools and communities?
Because the reality goes beyond pad distribution.
I have walked into some schools and discover there is no functional restroom. In other schools, both girls and boys share the same restroomwith zero privacy.
How do we sort that out also?
This experience has made me realise that sustainable menstrual hygiene support has to be WHOLE, it doesnt stop at just giving impact, how do we actually sustain it?
To me, It requires:
• access to affordable menstrual products
• gender-sensitive WASH facilities(VERY IMPORTANT)
• school policies that protect privacy of both genders
• continuous education for both girls and boys
• and partnerships that go beyond just our regular one-off interventions
Giving is important. But building systems that allow girls to manage their periods safely, while out of their comfort is the real goal.
As I continue this work, I’m intentionally shifting from “How many pads did we distribute?” to “What structures exist for the girls after we leave?”
If you’ve worked on menstrual health, WASH, or school-based interventions, I’d love to learn how you’ve approached sustainability in your own work.
