Good causes’ sewn up

More than 60 students and 15 parents have been involved in the Days for Girls project, which makes reusable sanitary kits for women in countries without proper menstrual care access.

The project is aimed at helping girls who miss out on a lot of education days due to their periods.

Research has shown one in four girls in India drop out of school once they start menstruating.

However, once the Days for Girls kits – which last between two to four years – were distributed in Uganda, school absences dropped from 25 per cent to three per cent, while in Kenya it fell from 36 per cent to eight.

Ballarat Grammar parent Melissa Bryan has been instructing the students on how to make the kits, as well as sourcing the materials.

The students have also been helping with the Melbourne Period Project, which supplies homeless women across the state with sanitary products.

Over the year, students have been working on a promotion strategy to encourage senior school members to collect sanitary items – with a pizza prize as a major incentive.

Year nine student Aemilia Riethoff said the donated sanitary items have been broken up and made into packs that are discreet and easy to carry for women in need.

“Even something as small as donating sanitary items can have a big effect on someone’s life,” Aemilia said.

“This small gesture will enable these women to not have to worry about the stress of purchasing these items and also help to ensure safer hygiene practices.”

Currently, the Melbourne Period Project estimates there are more than 12,000 homeless women in Victoria, with many unable to regularly access a bathroom while others have to choose between buying food or sanitary products.

The Melbourne Period Project packs include a range of pads and tampons, as well as disposable scented bags, wipes, gloves and hand sanitiser.