Women's Empowerment

WHEN WE PRIORITIZE THE WELFARE OF WOMEN AND GIRLS, THEY GAIN CONTROL OF THEIR BODIES, EDUCATION, AND LIVES.

Girls with little to no education are more susceptible to sex trafficking, becoming young brides, and experiencing high rates of poverty. In addition to these risks, young girls are often forced to end educational pursuits due to monthly menstruation cycles. Many girls avoid school due to being ashamed of this natural process. Misinformation can lead to societal superstitions, which may cause young girls to be ostracized. In a male dominated society, menstruation is often a taboo topic in many countries across the world. When women and girls lack access to sanitary products, they are more likely to suffer from health issues such as vaginal and urinary infections.

Solution

We provide school aged girls with feminine hygiene products to reduce their school dropout rates.

We educate and empower girls to help them avoid and combat child marriage, domestic violence, teen pregnancy, and HIV. We conduct seminars related to safe sex, empowerment of their bodies and celebrating womanhood.

37,000 girls

under the age of 18 marry
every day

65% of women

who receive a primary education or less experience childhood marriage and marital abuse

$30 trillion

the global increase in female lifetime earnings if every girl received 12 years of schooling

MEET MWIIZA

One of her biggest concerns as a senior in high school was going to class while on her period. Living in rural Uganda, she didn’t have access to menstrual pads and was forced to use old rags. She explained “I fear going to school. What if the bloody cloths fall through my skirt when I am called to the front of the class?” Mwiiza described the fear of male classmates ridiculing her caused her to miss school and stay home during her menstruation.

With the help of the Women’s Empowerment program, she’s been able to shed this shame and pursue her education without fear. After receiving the pads, she was ecstatic- “I’m feeling so lucky that I have received these pads. Now I am a woman with pads, and I will be healthy. We have moved a step forward.”

Project Refuge has distributed over 30,000 pads to women and girls.

Project Refuge has distributed over 30,000 pads to women and girls.