Supporting Better Menstrual Management for Women And Girls Through Reusable Menstrual Pads and Solar Lantern Distribution In East Nusa Tenggara

Period poverty affects many women globally, including in Indonesia. In Indonesia, 22% of women and girls did not have adequate access to properly manage menstruation (UNICEF, 2022). In East Nusa Tenggara, women and girls face a lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, waste management, and education. Myths and taboos also hinder efforts to alleviate period poverty, as many women and girls still believe menstruation is dirty and are embarrassed to talk about it. Women and girls must find time during the day to locate a plot of land near their homes to bury the used pads. Period poverty is further exacerbated by the lack of electricity, making it difficult for women to manage menstruation at night - especially in NTT, where only 24% of villages are electrified.

We distributed reusable menstrual pads and solar LED lanterns to women and girls in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), while integrating education on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

In addition, we distributed solar lanterns to tailors producing reusable menstrual pads and to Komunitas Menstruasi Sehat (KOMAT) agents or volunteers providing menstrual education, to enable better period experiences for women and girls in NTT.

Women and girls will gain an extra hour to change and wash their reusable menstrual pads using the solar lanterns, while also improving their knowledge of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Additionally, tailors can work two extra hours per day with the solar lanterns, and KOMAT agents can conduct two additional door-to-door activities each month.