AFRIPADS
LOCATION
KENYA, UGANDA, MALAWI
SECTOR
SANITATION
YEAR OF INVESTMENT
2013
Need
Menstruation is one of the most common and uniquely female experiences. Unfortunately, the reality is that around the world millions of girls and women struggle to manage their monthly periods. Unable to afford or access proper menstrual products, many girls and women rely on crude, improvised materials like scraps of old clothing, pieces of foam mattress, toilet paper, leaves, and banana fibres to manage their menstruation – all of which are unhygienic, ineffective, and uncomfortable. According to UNICEF, 1 out of 10 African schoolgirls skips school or drops out of school entirely due to a lack of menstrual products and poor access to proper sanitation.
Solution
AFRIpads Ltd. is a social business that specializes in the local manufacture and global supply of cost-effective, reusable sanitary pads. AFRIpads Menstrual Kits are reusable sanitary pads designed to provide superior feminine hygiene protection and comfort. AFRIpads Menstrual Kits are made from high-performance textiles and provide effective protection for 12+ months (or menstrual cycles), making them a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution. After use, the pad folds conveniently for easy storage before washing.
Impact
AFRIpads products provide women and girls with a sustainable solution for managing their periods with comfort and dignity. With over 2 million AFRIpads Menstrual Kits sold, AFRIpads has demonstrated how our simple product innovation is helping hundreds of thousands of women and girls live more hygienic, comfortable and productive lives.
