'Share It Forward' Provides Impoverished Girls With Sanitary Protection: How You Can Help

Think twice the next time you complain about cramps and bloating during that time of the month.

Millions of young girls in underdeveloped countries worldwide face a far greater problem: They simply can't afford sanitary protection. The effects are far-reaching, yet rarely discussed.

Girls from poor families in places such as Kenya and Bangladesh resort to using dirty rags while menstruating, putting them at risk for infection and disease, according to UNICEF.

But it's not just a health issue. Without sanitary protection, girls miss school simply because they're embarrassed of the stains on their clothes.

HURU International, an organization that produces and donates kits with washable sanitary pads, underwear and soap, shared the story of Rose from Ngong, Kenya with the Huffington Post.

“I was using cotton wool to protect myself during periods but since they were not protecting me fully I used to skip school two days each month because I feared soiling my school uniform. But since I got the Huru Kit, life has never been the same again because now I can attend school regularly and my marks in class have gone up. I now read comfortably, do household duties and wash clothes. The booklet we also received has taught me to abstain from sex and also not to share sharp things because it might transmit HIV to me.”

To help girls who can't afford feminine products combat education inequity, disease and poverty, HURU has partnered with o.b. to provide girls with menstruation kits.

o.b. and Huru -- which means freedom in Swahili -- have launched the Share it Forward campaign to spread awareness and to provide a way to help. o.b. will donate $1 to Huru every time someone shares their message on Facebook. $25 is enough to provide one girl with her own kit.

Click to spread the word and help provide sanitary protection for girls who lack access.

Learn more about the issue:

Comments

[janereally]

03:19 PM on 10/14/2011

the Keeper.

www.keeper.com

[NicolaCairnX]

03:03 PM on 10/14/2011

Hurukits need to sort their Facebook page out - I couldn't share with my thousands of friends and followers because of that stupid choose a state dropdown - not everyone lives in the USA you know! I want to help but can't at the moment which seems daft. Nicola

[mdipary2004]

10:59 AM on 10/13/2011

I have a question, What about the boys, shouldnt we be doing the same for the little boys as well Didnt know gender was an issue here.
At least try and make it people believe you are helping the children both boys and girls. I guess the gender of one child is more important then the gender of another child. For god sake we are talking about kids

[reluctantcougar]

06:24 PM on 10/13/2011

The subject matter being addressed is female menstrual cycle hygiene. That is absolutely a gender issue. Boys don't miss mutliple school days each month due to their periods. Why make the assumption that boys are not being helped in other ways?

[SgtMom]

11:26 PM on 10/12/2011

My mother's generation used rags without risk of infection or missing school, or the sky falling!

It's where OUR popular term "on the rag" came from!

Modern day "protection" has been known to "soil through" - it's also been known to cause toxic shock syndrome.

Will Kimberly Clark also provide doctors when one "forgets" to remove a product?

[db025]

09:58 PM on 10/12/2011

Here's an idea: How about the UN use some of the billions of dollars the extort from US taxpayers to supply them with what they need!

What did women do BEFORE they had napkins?

[loveis22984]

10:04 PM on 10/12/2011

Exactly what the women in third world countries are doing now.

[Ladycj]

11:29 AM on 12/02/2011

My mother grew up without much $ IN THE US and has told me stories about using rags each month, and washing them over and over. That was the norm. But of course let's raise more money to help other countries with EVERYTHING, while we in the USA have people who go without food, and necessities during this time of recession.....or all the time!!!

[ohjodi]

08:55 PM on 10/12/2011

NOBODY needs pads and tampons. This is an ad for Kimberly-Clarke.

Washable pads are safer for the health of the women and of their communities. The plastics and dioxins in disposables are unhealthy, possibly toxic.

I've been using washable flannel pads for seven years.......my heavy periods and cramps were relieved 90%.

Disposables have been around for only 70 years or so.......what did women do before that?

Send these women food and books, instead.

[CATNIP1]

09:41 PM on 10/12/2011

I guess you didn't read the article. It says the kits contain Washable pads !

[Muzzle Me]

08:54 PM on 10/12/2011

"Girls who can't afford sanitary protection - need help, period???"

Seriously??? Thought that was what? A clever intro/byline on the front page?? How old are you?? This is a serious problem. Intern, are we????

[Kim0330]

09:12 PM on 10/12/2011

I was thinking the same thing...

[candyekane]

08:46 PM on 10/12/2011

We take so much for granted in this country. please help if you can. I just gave.

[Cautious]

08:36 PM on 10/12/2011

The stupid headline is still out on the front page four to six hours after the complaints.

Hello? Editors? Are you too busy playing World of Warcraft?

[willulisten]

08:19 PM on 10/12/2011

Coming to America, I saw on peoples channels how they are making their own. I feel for everyone everywhere.

[teachone]

07:24 PM on 10/12/2011

Why don't you try sending these same sanitary items to the girls and women here in the United States? Those of us who are unemployed and not married don't have it any easier than these people. We are out of money, go ask wallstreet, your friends in big business or the top 1% for money, the people in this country have been totally depleted, we are eating from food banks and can't afford our rent or toilet paper either!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Suntio]

07:59 PM on 10/12/2011

I feel for you, but you ARE better off. These people live in mud huts on $20-30 a month.

[Dupree]

08:13 PM on 10/12/2011

Thank you. During hard times.....one must guard their hearts with due diligence for it is so susceptible to becoming bitter and uncaring. These precious human beings...are starving to death and lack basic necessities that we still have in higher volume than they regardless of our status in this country. teachone...needs to educate herself on compassion and empathy toward those that are struggling. I respect the fact that it is difficult for that person...but in comparison....she still comes out way ahead than those she begrudge basic accommodations.

[candyekane]

08:39 PM on 10/12/2011

It appears that you are able to afford internet and computer access.

[ozamerican]

07:06 PM on 10/12/2011

The entire article is a paid ad

[sharonh]

08:32 PM on 10/12/2011

A pad?

[Stephen Davies]

07:00 PM on 10/12/2011

Only in America or maybe Africa or any other super power third world country,

[Justdontgetit]

06:54 PM on 10/12/2011

I hope the girls are given the necessary items they need to live in cleanliness and safety. Just as I hope it for the girls here and anywhere else around the world.

I had no idea what a period was. I was 11 and thought I had cancer. I used rags each month and threw them in the bottom of the trash container so no one else would know. For months I was so scared, terrified. My daughters and granddaughter never had to go to through the fear and shame I did.

I hope those little girls get the help they need.

[Rouge Cat]

06:31 PM on 10/12/2011

Tacky headline.