Periods can be inconvenient, sure. Now imagine experiencing yours each month without access to sanitary products – no tampons, no pads, no cups. It may be 2016, but that’s still the reality for millions of women across the developing world.
Two Aussie men are aiming to change all that.
Dustin Leonard and David Wommelsdorff have established her/, a socially-conscious tampon company geared not toward profits, but towards empowering young women on the other side of the world. The aim is for every box of home-delivered organic cotton her/ tampons sold locally, the company will donate a month’s worth of sanitary pads to a woman in Kenya.
“Feminine care products are something half of Australians need every month,” said Leonard. “It’s easy to see how we could all make a difference and improve the quality of life for these young women, their families and their communities.”
Of course, that difference isn’t just about improving personal hygiene for these women – it’s about helping to secure them a better future. In Kenya alone, 850,000 girls miss a combined total of 3.5 million days of school each month due to their periods.
“Studies show that these young women face a cycle of social and economic inequality as a result,” said Leonard. “They’re more susceptible to health risks, unplanned pregnancies and often earn less than their male peers.”
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Still in its infancy, her/ is taking pre-orders for its mini, regular and super tampons, but they need the funds to produce them. That’s why the co-founders are currently sitting at a school desk in Sydney’s Martin place, where they will remain for 48 hours to draw attention to their crowdfunding campaign.
Their goal of $50,000 will secure the first minimum order of products. The long-term goal? Her/ tampons on supermarket shelves nation-wide, and a future where adolescence doesn’t spell the end of a girl’s education.
Give generously if you can.
Top Comments
There is a lot of negative comments here. If you think you could do it better then go for it. I think its great that these Men have taken the time to do this and I hope that they make a real difference for these young girls.
There's another company already working to provide reusable options to impoverished areas, like the reusable cups & cloth pads which I think is a much better option rather than disposables. It's great that they're bringing attention to this issue, I just don't think they're offering an efficient solution.
Totally agree here! I heard Oprah talk about helping in developing countries - she said "find someone already on the ground who are experts and support them rather than starting something new'