Our Impact
Women & Girls
Research, partnerships, community stories, and updates from Days for Girls teams around the world.
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Significant Days
A new granddaughter has just arrived in my family! Our family celebrates the arrival of baby girls and boys with equal joy, and her birthday will remain a truly significant day for us. In many parts of the world, however, there is a gap where baby girls should have been. Entire regions now have millions…
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Pathways to New Traditions
The road to Kalikot, Nepal is one of the most beautiful in the world …and one of the most dangerous. Days for Girls climbs these stunning mountain paths for an important reason: shattering the shame of menstruation. In recent months, the outside world has been learning about western Nepal because of chhaupadi, the practice of…
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Defining Menstrual Health As A Social Justice Issue
Social justice is the buzzword of the moment. Through social media campaigns, investigative reporting, and community engagement platforms like GoFundMe, we have never been more aware of systemic inequities and injustices ranging from discrimination to violence. In developed and developing countries alike, however, a persistent sense of secrecy, shame, and stigma are keeping menstrual health…
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The Importance of Combatting Shame Around Menstruation
In a tragic incident late this week, a young girl in South India committed suicide shortly after being publicly humiliated by her teacher. Her teacher made her exit the classroom and stand outside in the hallway after noticing a blood stain on her clothes. Globally, women and girls continue to face stigma, taboo, and cultural…
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Great Reads for Girls and Women That Talk Periods
When I was younger, my mother gave me a few books that explained the female body and menstruation in order to help me better understand my body. I am forever grateful for those books. I was able to learn from the women in these books that everything our bodies do is normal, and makes us…
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“The Shame of Menstruating” – Menstrual Hygiene Day
~Today Is Menstrual Hygiene Day~ “The Shame of Menstruating” I remember my first period. I was fourteen years old and it was just before Easter. I actually remember feeling excited. My grandmother sent me a tree of life necklace shortly thereafter – she sent one to each of us. She wanted us to remember that…
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Happy International Day of the Girl
A message from Days for Girl’s founder, Celeste Mergens. Today is the UN proclaimed International Day of the Girl. Growing up, my step-dad often grumbled about wanting a boy. He had 4 girls at the time. In our house there was a lot of talk about women drivers and “don’t be such a girl.” It…
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The Chief, the Counselor and the Chaos
We arose in the dark of 4 AM and headed toward the province where the Great Zimbabwe ruins stand. We picked up a fourth passenger, which meant three of us were in the back of a small compact and two in front. The car was weighed down with DfG supplies generously made possible by supporters…