A future not limited by Periods
Period Equity Initiative is a non-profit project founded by two Burkinabe young women that aims to improve menstrual management in Burkina Faso. Three out of four women in the country experience period poverty and are forced to use alternative, and very often unsanitary, methods of caring for their monthly cycle. We are one of only 5 organizations nationwide that distribute both environmentally friendly and reusable pads to women and girls in need. But we go beyond donations: we work with local women's groups, teaching them how to make the pads locally and compensating them for their work. Period Equity Initiative gives girls dignity and safety in managing their periods, provides women with economic empowerment, and uses a sustainable approach in the fight against period poverty.
It's a win-win-win.
Did you know?
21 % of adolescent girls miss school due to menstruation-related issues, such as lack of adequate sanitation, pain, and stigma.
75% of women and girls in Burkina Faso lack access to proper menstrual hygiene products
83% of girls participate less in class during their period due to shame, stress, or discomfort.
"Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow's reality."
Malala Yousafzai
Mission Statement
Empower women and support girls by ending period poverty sustainably, building a Burkina Faso where menstruation never limits a girl’s potential.
Our Approach
Our approach is rooted in partnership, dignity, and sustainability. We work directly with a women’s cooperative in rural Burkina Faso, ensuring that every step of our project is led by local knowledge and community priorities. By training women to produce high‑quality reusable pads and paying them fair wages, we create meaningful income opportunities that strengthen families and empower women economically. At the same time, we distribute these pads to girls who need them most, paired with menstrual health education that reduces stigma and keeps girls in school. Our model is intentionally symbiotic: women gain financial independence, and girls gain the tools and confidence to continue their education without interruption.
