FOREWORD BY
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It is with great pride and immense gratitude that I welcome you all to this special morning gala organized by HER Move- ment Tanzania. As the Founder of HER Movement, I am honoured to address you today and to share our mission of empowering young girls and women to achieve safe and dignified menstrual health and hygiene.
Menstruation is a natural and essential part of a girl’s life, yet it remains shrouded in stigma and misinforma- tion. Many young girls face significant challenges when it comes to managing their periods safely and with dignity. These challenges often lead to detrimental effects on their education, health, and overall well-being.
Ladies and gentlemen, one of the most heartbreaking issues we encounter is the high rate of school dropouts among adolescent girls due to inadequate menstrual health management. When girls lack access to sanitary products and proper WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities, they are often forced to miss school during their periods. Over time, these absences accumulate, leading many to fall behind in their studies and eventually drop out altogether. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty and limited opportuni- ties, trapping them in a life where their full potential is never realized.
In addition to educational setbacks, cultural norms and poverty further exacerbate the challenges these young girls face. In many communities, menstruation is considered a taboo subject, shrouded in shame and silence. Girls are often forced to use unsafe traditional pads made from rags, leaves, or other unhygienic materials due to the lack of affordable and appropriate menstrual products. These practices can lead to severe health issues, including infections and long-term reproductive health problems.
Dear attendees, HER Movement Tanzania is dedicated to addressing these critical issues head-on. We have imple- mented comprehensive programs designed to provide young girls with the resources and education they need to manage their menstruation safely and with dignity. Our initiatives include the distribution of sanitary products, but we are looking forward to constructing WASH facilities in schools, and organising educational workshops like this one; that aim to break the silence and dispel the myths surrounding menstruation.
I am pleased to share that we have made significant strides in our efforts, particularly in the Kisarawe District. Our programs have reached numerous schools, benefiting hundreds of students. Some of them now have access to safe menstrual products and facilities. These girls are not only able to attend school regularly but are also empowered with the knowledge and confi- dence to manage their menstrual health effectively.
Stakeholders, today’s gala is an opportunity for us to come together and reaffirm our commitment to this cause. Your presence and support are invaluable in helping us continue and expand our work. We need to ensure that every girl in Tanzania, regardless of her socio-economic background, can experience her menstrual periods safely and with dignity.
Ladies and gentlemen, I invite you all to join us in this vital mission. Let us all commit to helping young girls achieve safe menstrual health and hygiene. Together, we can create a future where no girl has to choose between her education and managing her period, where cultural norms do not dictate her worth, and where every girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential.
Thank you for your generosity and support. Let us make this gala a memorable milestone in our journey towards empow- ering the girls and women of Tanzania.
Thank you.
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