Advancing Menstrual Health in Ethiopia
Breaking Barriers. Empowering Girls. Strengthening Communities.
Why This Matters
Millions of girls face challenges managing their periods due to stigma, lack of resources, and limited education.
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- 50% of schoolgirls in Ethiopia miss between one and four days of school every month due to their monthly menstruation. [Pan African Medical Journal, Jan 2025]​
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- 67% of girls in Ethiopia have no access to education on puberty and menstrual health. [National Institutes of Healh, Mar 2022]
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Globally, an estimated 500 million girls lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management (MHM). [World Bank, May 2022]
Periods should never stand in the way of a girl’s education.
Our Approach: A Community-Driven Solution
Led by Girls, Supported by the Community
Employable Skills & Leadership
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Studio Samuel students create reusable menstrual kits as part of a vocational training program.
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This hands-on experience teaches sewing and production skills, providing a pathway to employment.
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Students deliver the kits to peers who lack access to menstrual hygiene supplies. A menstrual health presentation is included with each delivery, with students using their voices to lead peers.
School Outreach Across Ethiopia
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​​Studio Samuel partners with schools in regions where menstrual health education and supplies are most needed.
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Students, teachers, and school administrators receive training and resources to sustain menstrual health awareness in their communities.
Teen MHM Ambassadors: Leading the Conversation
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A select group of Studio Samuel students serve as Teen Menstrual Health Ambassadors.
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These young leaders facilitate peer discussions, debunk myths, and advocate for period equity within their schools and communities.
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They are trained to confidently educate their peers, making them a crucial force in normalizing menstruation and breaking stigma.
Reaching Crisis Zones
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​​We prioritize girls in high-risk areas, including displaced communities and emergency settings.
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Our team travels to crisis zones to ensure girls in the most vulnerable conditions receive the support they need.
Including Men + Community Leaders in the Conversation
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We engage fathers, brothers, and male community leaders in the dialogue. Together, we're fostering understanding and breaking the stigma which builds a more supportive environment for girls.
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Community leaders, educators, and health professionals back our initiative, amplifying its impact.
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Their support helps integrate menstrual health education into schools and community programs.
Economic
Empowerment
Dignity + Confidence
More Girls
in School
Youth-Led
Advocacy
Cultural
Shift
