“Before the Period Power Project, I used to miss school almost every month. I was embarrassed, uncomfortable, and didn’t know who to talk to. Now, I feel confident. I feel seen.”
— Aminata, age 14, Sierra Leone
In remote corners of Sierra Leone, something powerful is happening—something as simple as a sanitary pad is becoming a tool of transformation. For thousands of adolescents like Aminata, the Period Power Project by Media Matters for Women (MMW) is restoring dignity, breaking silence, and creating pathways to brighter futures.
And it’s not just girls who are part of this change—boys are part of the solution too. Together, they are learning, creating, and leading a movement that is reshaping how their communities view menstruation, hygiene, and gender.
The Challenge
In many rural communities, menstruation is still surrounded by silence and shame. Girls often lack access to menstrual supplies and reliable information, causing them to miss school or suffer in silence. Boys, too, are left in the dark—rarely educated on menstrual health or respectful relationships. The result? Misunderstanding, teasing, stigma, and lost potential.
But when young people are empowered with accurate information and practical skills, everything changes.
The Solution: Skills, Knowledge, and Shared Responsibility
The Period Power Project is about more than pads—it’s about empowerment through education, action, and inclusion.
MMW trains both girls and boys in essential topics like comprehensive sexuality education, menstrual hygiene management, and body literacy. These sessions build confidence, promote mutual respect, and give young people the tools to make informed decisions about their health and relationships.
In addition, students learn to produce reusable sanitary pads and establish pad banks in schools, providing immediate support for those in need and fostering a sense of collective responsibility. These pad banks are maintained by the students themselves—demonstrating ownership, leadership, and care.
All of this is reinforced through MMW’s powerful media outreach, using radio programs, mobile loudspeakers, and peer storytelling to bring life-changing information into even the most remote communities.
“When we talk openly about our bodies and our health, we learn to respect ourselves and each other. That’s how change begins.”
— MMW Peer Educator
The Impact
Since launching in 2020, the Period Power Project has:
- Reached over 5,000 adolescents across rural Sierra Leone—both girls and boys
- Delivered comprehensive training on sexuality education, menstrual hygiene, and gender equity
- Equipped students to produce thousands of reusable pads and create sustainable pad banks in schools
- Built a network of peer educators leading school and community discussions
- Increased school attendance and reduced stigma around menstruation and puberty
Girls who once sat out now speak up. Boys who once mocked now lead. And schools are becoming spaces of safety, support, and shared understanding.
How You Can Help
Your support powers this movement.
Every donation helps a young person gain the skills and confidence to care for their health, support their peers, and challenge harmful taboos. You’re not just giving supplies—you’re supporting education, dignity, and equality.
“Your donation doesn’t just provide a pad—it provides knowledge, confidence, and the chance to lead.”
👉 [Donate Now]
Together, let’s turn periods into power—and education into change.