Centre for Girls and Interaction (CEGI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of girls and women by promoting sustainable community development, including access to quality healthcare and education. The organization implements programs which address a range of issues such as sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, child marriage, and more. CEGI also engages in advocacy, working with families, local leaders, and community members to change social norms and practices which marginalize adolescent girls and women.
Access to quality menstrual health products and education is an ongoing challenge in Malawi. Girls often feel shame while menstruating because they are unable to afford products and do not have access to proper water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. As a result, many girls miss school during their periods, causing them to fall behind in their classes and increasing the likelihood that they leave school altogether. Taboos regarding menstruation further exacerbate challenges, as girls often find themselves without support to ask questions regarding their bodies and health.
The Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund will support CEGI’s menstrual and reproductive health project. Over the span of a year, the organization will provide menstrual kits—which will include underwear, pads, and soap— as well as capacity building training to address challenges such as product access, stigma, and school absenteeism. The organization will also work with families, specifically training mothers how to make reusable sanitary pads for girls using locally sourced materials.
CEGI expects to directly support 1,800 girls through its project. The goals of the project are to increase girls’ understanding of menstrual health and provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to manage their health and wellbeing, enabling them to reach their full potential in school and beyond. CEGI also aims to help girls realize confidence and their power, encouraging them to share their knowledge with others to help change social norms relating to menstruation and girls’ rights.
To learn more about CEGI, please visit the organization’s website and Facebook page.
See more projects: Africa, Child Marriage, Education, Menstrual Health