Dowa girls, women to benefit from menstrual health, empowerment project

More girls in Dowa could soon spend more time in class instead of missing lessons because of a lack of sanitary products, while women are set to gain new income opportunities through a two-year menstrual health and economic empowerment project.

The initiative, to be implemented by Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) Canada, will target women-led cooperatives and schools in Traditional Authorities Chakhaza and Chiwere, reaching 1,500 women and adolescent girls directly and about 20,000 people indirectly.

Presenting the project to the District Executive Committee, CDF Canada Regional Coordinator for Africa Rose Msosa said the initiative aims to improve girls’ access to education, strengthen menstrual health management and expand economic opportunities for women.

She said the project seeks to reduce period poverty, which continues to affect school attendance among girls, while breaking taboos surrounding menstruation and promoting menstrual hygiene as a basic educational need.

“The project will improve access to appropriate menstrual hygiene products, reduce menstrual-related absenteeism and help girls participate confidently in school and community activities,” Msosa said.

Funded by the Peter Gilgan Foundation, the project builds on lessons from the VOICE Project, which promoted the production and use of reusable sanitary pads.

CDF Canada will implement the project in partnership with the Malawi Federation of Cooperatives (MAFECO) and the district’s education, gender and trade sectors.

Five schools, including Nanthomba Community Day Secondary School, Natola CDSS, Ng’ozi and Kongwe II, as well as five women-led cooperatives, are expected to benefit.

Planned activities include training women and girls in reusable sanitary pad production, providing sewing machines and start-up kits, renovating school toilets and changing rooms, supporting income-generating activities and engaging communities on menstrual health awareness.

Msosa said the project aligns with Dowa District’s development priorities, including reducing school dropout and repetition rates, improving water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and promoting women’s economic empowerment.

She added that sustainability will be achieved by working through existing community structures such as mother groups and cooperatives, while strengthening partnerships with government sectors and creating community learning hubs.

After the District Executive Committee approved the project, Dowa District Council Principal Environmental Officer Yusuf Laki welcomed the initiative and urged development partners to continue updating the council on project progress.

Laki also encouraged partners to openly share implementation challenges, saying this would strengthen cooperation, transparency and accountability between stakeholders.