In under-resourced communities, menstrual health remains a silent crisis undermining girls’ education. Stigma, misinformation, and a lack of resources force many girls to miss school, retreat into shame, and abandon their potential. To tackle this, Right Path launched the Girlcare Initiative, a groundbreaking program dedicated to equipping senior women teachers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to support girls through menstrual health challenges. This initiative goes beyond education, it’s about dismantling taboos, fostering dignity, and ensuring every girl can thrive in school and beyond.
Breaking Barriers to Education
The Girlcare Initiative: A Holistic Solution
The Girlcare Initiative empowers senior women teachers to become champions of menstrual health. Through comprehensive training, practical resources, and community engagement, the program transforms schools into safe, informed spaces where girls feel supported and empowered.
- Educator Training: Building Knowledge and Confidence
Senior women teachers receive in-depth training on:
- Menstrual biology: Understanding the science behind puberty and cycles.
- Myth-busting: Addressing harmful misconceptions with factual, culturally sensitive guidance.
- Sustainable practices: Promoting eco-friendly products like reusable pads.
- Emotional support: Teaching educators to lead conversations with empathy and clarity.
This knowledge positions teachers as trusted mentors, enabling them to guide girls through puberty with confidence.
- The Girlcare Quiz Game: Interactive Learning
The initiative uses an engaging quiz game to reinforce key concepts. This tool helps teachers educate pupils/students about hygiene practices, anatomy, and self-care in a fun, participatory way, turning complex topics into memorable lessons.
- Menstrual Hygiene Kits: Practical Support for Every Girl
Each kit includes essential items:
- Eco-friendly sanitary pads
- A bucket for privacy
- Soap and a small towel
These kits ensure girls have the supplies they need to manage their periods hygienically and confidently, eliminating school absences tied to menstrual insecurity.
Breaking Stigma: Creating Inclusive School Cultures
The initiative confronts societal taboos head-on. By involving male teachers and pupils/students in discussions, Girlcare fosters mutual respect and understanding. Schools become spaces where menstruation is normalized, not stigmatized, creating a ripple effect that extends into families and communities.
Strengthening Mentorship: Teachers as Role Models
Senior women teachers do more than educate; they mentor. They distribute kits, answer questions without judgment, and model resilience. This mentorship builds girls’ self-esteem, helping them embrace their bodies without shame and stay committed to their education.
Sustainability and Gender Equity: A Long-Term Vision
The Girlcare Initiative prioritizes eco-friendly menstrual products to reduce waste while ensuring affordability. By addressing both educational and environmental needs, the program aligns with broader goals of sustainability and gender equity. When girls stay in school, they gain the tools to break cycles of poverty and lead change in their communities.
Impact: A Future of Confident, Educated Girls
Since its launch, the Girlcare Initiative has:
- Trained hundreds of educators to support menstrual health.
- Provided hygiene kits to girls in underserved schools.
- Fostered inclusive classrooms where open dialogue replaces silence.
Schools report improved attendance, stronger student-teacher trust, and a shift in attitudes toward menstruation as a normal, celebrated aspect of life.
Join the Movement
The Girlcare Initiative is more than a program, it’s a call to action. By investing in educators, we invest in girls’ futures. Together, we can ensure no girl misses school because of her period.
