In Tanzania as for many other countries, adolescent’s girls and young women struggle to

access menstrual products along with a friendly environment to use during their menstruation. Lack of affordability and accessibility of menstruation products, stigma associated with menstruation, has widespread negative effects for adolescent’s girls and young women, severely limiting their participation in school.

Flaviana Matata Foundation focuses precisely on reforms to make menstrual hygiene products affordable and accessible through advocacy for policy reforms and supportive structure. The Foundation uses a holistic approach that brings together awareness on menstruation, menstrual hygiene products, and friendly accessibility infrastructure. In collaboration with other stakeholders in coalitions, joined efforts to make menstrual products affordable, accessible, and safe. Among others, we demand elimination of taxes on menstrual products to foster accessibility and affordability.

Our goal is to facilitate access to education and prevent school absenteeism and/or dropout due to the lack of menstrual products. We recognize the profound impact this support can have on girls’ academic performance and strive to mitigate the stigma and shame often associated with

menstruation, which can lead to feelings of isolation.

Moreover, through a Donate a Period initiative the Foundation supported adolescent girls

and young women by providing access to essential menstrual products and comprehensive menstrual education, fostering confidence and body autonomy and their overall well-being. Likewise, we have championed community engagement to support this initiative and create a supportive environment for adolescent girls and young women. Raise awareness of parents and advise them to budget for such products as necessities. The programme also involved school teachers to monitor project progress and results.