Eradicating period poverty and stigma in Tanzania
- observatorioumofc
- May 28
- 2 min read
Commemoration of the World Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day – 28th May
By Sylvia Ruambo - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Community Manager and Ambassador of WWO
Dr. Sylvia Ruambo, a WWO Ambassador and Community manager from Tanzania, Africa, tells about her Menstrual Health and Hygiene advocacy journey. She says:
“In 2018, I stood before a community in rural Tanzania with a simple message: Keep a Girl Child in School. At the time, I believed that education was the key to unlocking a brighter future for girls—and it still is. But I quickly discovered a painful barrier: menstruation”.
A natural, biological process was keeping girls away from school, because they lacked access to hygiene sanitary products, safe spaces, and supportive environments.
That was the beginning of her advocacy journey. She began to speak out boldly about menstrual poverty, stigma, myths, and taboos—issues that too often isolate girls and women and steal their confidence. She started advocating for free distribution of sanitary pads in public schools, because no woman or girl should have to choose between dignity and survival.
As her work deepened, so did her understanding. She realized that schoolgirls were not the only ones affected—so were those out of school, women in the workforce, and even incarcerated women. She then came up with a more inclusive campaign name; Every Day is Her Good Day— Her good day to attend school without shame, her good day to work without fear. A good day for every person to live, lead, and thrive without menstrual barriers.
The campaign reaches into classrooms, to both girls and boys. Boys are an essential part of this conversation. They are the brothers of the girls, future fathers, employers, and teachers of the next generation of women. Their understanding and support are key to breaking the cycle of stigma and silence.
As we commemorate the World Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day, Sylvia renews her call to communities, governments, and global allies: End the shame. Reduce or exempt the tax on sanitary products. Invest in menstrual education and access, so that every girl and woman menstruate with dignity, and every day is her good day!
For more campaign information visit:
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