On May 28, 2025, girls across our partner schools in East Africa joined the global movement for Menstrual Hygiene Day to celebrate this year’s theme: Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld. The day was filled with learning, advocacy and lifting each other up—reminding us why menstrual health matters, both for dignity and for keeping girls in school.

‘Menstrual hygiene is about more than pads — it’s about education, dignity, and health.’
Winnie, Government Health Officer in Nakuru, Kenya

At So They Can our message is clear — menstrual health is critical to ensuring that every girl has the right to quality education. In a #PeriodFriendlyWorld, the stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation are history. It is a world where every school girl can access the products, period education, menstrual health services and period-friendly infrastructure they need to go to school.

‘Improved toilets, Changing rooms and water access in our school makes us manage our periods without fear or shame.’
Agnes, Grade 9 Student, Kibowen Komen Primary School in Nakuru, Kenya

Multi-stakeholder collaboration on the day increased visibility and impact. In Nakuru, the Kenya Girl Guides Association brought local communities together, with 200 students (50% girls) and 20 teachers from So They Can’s partner school joining in. A procession through the streets of Nakuru drew public attention and engagement. Following that, So They Can conducted a menstrual hygiene awareness session, open to all attendees.

‘I learned that using reusable sanitary pads is safe and can help many girls stay in school.‘
– Jacinta Mumbua, Grade 8, Mlimani  School
Agnes, Grade 9 Student, Kibowen Komen Primary School in Nakuru, Kenya

So They Can has provided more than 60,000 reusable sanitary pads to school girls in East Africa as part of our mission to end period poverty.