Philly Organization Boosts African Girls’ Health with Period Panties.
The Philadelphia organization makes reusable period panties for African girls.
A group of Black women in Philadelphia has come together to tackle menstrual hygiene issues in Africa. Meeting weekly, they sew reusable panties for young African girls. The Pan-African Sisterhood Health Initiative, hosted by Ujima Friends Peace Center, includes up to 35 Black women, one white woman, and one Black man, all working to create washable cotton menstruation pads, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“We use 100% cotton fabric. After researching, we discovered a commercial product called Zorb, a compressed cotton that absorbs liquid seven to eight times its weight. We then added a laminated cotton layer for water resistance,” she explained.
Through careful research to ensure safety, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability, Sullivan-Ongoza believes the product’s design will transform and save lives.
“I’m truly proud of the impact it’s having. These girls aren’t using harmful products, and they’re not at risk of predators exploiting them for pads. They now have a way to manage their periods with dignity.”
Period poverty is affecting young women across Africa. The rising cost of period products in many countries has made it even harder for girls to access what they need. A 2022 Global Citizen report shares the stories of young women whose education and lives are disrupted due to the lack of access to period products.
“I skipped school because once I stained my uniform, the boys teased me. It has affected my confidence,” said Opoku, 15, in a phone interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation from Ghana’s southern Ashanti Region.
Skipping school is just one of the challenges the 15-year-old faces. Without consistent access to pads or tampons, she is forced to free-bleed or use alternatives like baby diapers and random cloth scraps. These alternatives pose hygiene and health risks, as women without proper access to clean and replenish period products face the danger of infections, which can lead to various reproductive health problems.
“Girls can develop bacterial infections from using pieces of cloth,” said Anita Asamoah, an independent public health advocate. “If not properly managed, these infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease or even infertility.”
The Philadelphia-based organization is working to prevent African girls from experiencing these harmful consequences. The Pan-African Sisterhood Health Initiative’s period panties are reusable for up to three years with proper care.
