Freetown, Sierra Leone – MMW’s Period Power Project, an initiative focused on menstrual health education and dignity for girls in underserved communities, has successfully completed another year of training programmes in the Bombali, Kenema, and Western Rural Districts of Sierra Leone. Field staff, students and teachers are celebrating the significant achievements and positive changes with final pad awards ceremonies and quiz competitions.
The Period Power Project aims to break the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation while providing essential education and resources to young people. One 14-year-old participant, Aminata, shared the transformative impact of the project, stating, ‘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.’
A key aspect of the Period Power Project is its inclusive approach, actively engaging both girls and boys in the learning process. Through comprehensive sexuality education, menstrual hygiene management training, and body literacy sessions, the project fosters confidence and mutual respect and empowers young people to make informed decisions about their health and relationships.
Beyond education, the initiative equips students with practical skills, teaching them to produce reusable sanitary pads and establish pad banks within their schools. These student-managed pad banks provide immediate support to those in need and cultivate a sense of collective responsibility and leadership among the students.
Since its launch in 2020, the Period Power Project has reached over 5,000 adolescents across rural Sierra Leone, with both girls and boys participating in comprehensive training programs. The project has also facilitated the production of thousands of reusable pads and the creation of sustainable pad banks in schools. Furthermore, a network of peer educators has been established to lead discussions within schools and communities.
The impact of the Period Power Project extends beyond the classroom through MMW’s media outreach efforts. Radio programs, mobile loudspeakers, and peer-to-peer storytelling are utilised to disseminate crucial information to even the most remote communities. As one peer educator commented: ‘When we talk openly about our bodies and our health, we learn to respect ourselves and each other. That’s how change begins.’
Organisers have observed tangible positive outcomes, including increased school attendance among girls and a reduction in the stigma associated with menstruation and puberty. Girls who were previously absent from school due to menstruation are now more engaged, and boys who may have previously engaged in teasing are now taking on leadership roles in promoting understanding. For more information on our Period Power Project, please see our film here.
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