In June 2022, Days for Girls International (DfG) began the Menstrual Health (MH) Country Snapshot project. The goal of this project was to collaborate with government, MH experts, thought leaders, and decision-makers to produce high-level, easily digestible reports on the MH policies, challenges, and conditions in individual countries.
Within the first two years of the Snapshot project, DfG published reports on Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Since 2024, DfG has followed these initial publications with Snapshots on Canada, Cambodia, and Nepal, highlighting the recent field developments in these nations.
Now, four years after the start of the Snapshot project, DfG is excited to release updated versions of two original reports: South Africa and Kenya!
The goal of writing updated Snapshots was to examine the positive and negative changes made in the MH landscapes in South Africa and Kenya since the original Snapshots were published. Our research, reviewed by leading MH experts in both countries, provided important insights into where policy progress for MH has continued or stalled, and where opportunity remains for further advocacy.
Below are two highlights from the updated Snapshots:
- In Kenya, 65% of girls in rural areas and 52% of girls in urban areas experience difficulty accessing sanitary products.
- In Johannesburg, South Africa, painful menstrual cycles lead to a 200% increase in the likelihood of school absenteeism among girls.
These are just a few examples of the illuminating findings from the updated South Africa and Kenya Snapshots.
As the Snapshot project grows, DfG is excited to keep shedding much-needed light on the realities of MH conditions across different cultural contexts and countries. We hope these reports provide helpful information and spark inspiration for advocates to continue championing MH in their communities and beyond.
Coming Soon: The Dominican Republic MH Snapshot, available in Spanish and English.
Read the Updated South Africa Snapshot HERE, and the Updated Kenya Snapshot HERE.
