Awareness-raising and capacity-building
Kitambaa recognises that distorted religious beliefs about menstruation, poverty and underdevelopment, as well as a lack of accountability regarding laws and policies supporting menstrual health and hygiene, and a lack of access to sanitary products and sanitation facilities, are the root causes of the menstrual challenges faced by women and girls in
Senegal and West Africa. These challenges have far-reaching health and social consequences.
Based on raising awareness and building the capacity of women, girls and stakeholders regarding menstrual health, hygiene and social norms, Kitambaa's theory of change aims to reduce misconceptions, social stigma, fear, shame and taboos associated with menstruation, in order to create an enabling environment for women and girls to experience their periods with dignity.
Training and employing women to produce washable pads will create decent employment opportunities and include them in the value chain, diversifying their product range and increasing their income. Marketing washable pads at an affordable price will give more women and girls access to quality menstrual protection.
Furthermore, the provision of adequate and accessible WASH facilities in schools and markets will enable them to change their sanitary products regularly and as often as necessary, and will help to improve their menstrual health and hygiene practices. This will reduce school absenteeism, school dropout rates, early marriage and early pregnancy, and enable women to continue commercial activities during their periods, thereby improving their economic productivity and preventing loss of income.