A period should end a sentence, not a girl’s education.®

2023 Impact At A Glance:

473,000+

Menstrual products provided

12

Operational pad-making machines in: India, Nepal, Kenya, Sri Lanka

111,750+

Girls and women reached with menstrual health education workshops

165

Women employed in production and sales

Our Story

OUR MISSION

The Pad Project is a global nonprofit that expands access to menstrual care products, combats period stigma, and champions menstrual equity for all.

THE ISSUE

Women around the world often face a lack of access to menstrual products. Without proper sanitary supplies, they resort to using newspapers, dirty rags, and even leaves to manage their periods.

OUR APPROACH

The Pad Project takes a multi-pronged approach to achieving menstrual equity by combining pad machines, washable pad programs, and product distribution with community partnerships and sexual and reproductive health education.

We're stronger together

We’re ready to give this project everything we have, but we know we can’t do it alone.

  • Access – The Pad Project’s International and U.S. initiatives for menstrual product availability
  • Agency – Learn about menstrual hygiene product laws and taxes, join a global movement advocating for change, and empower yourself
  • Advocacy – Spread menstrual health education and empowerment to your community
  • Donate – Every contribution makes a difference

Programs by the numbers

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

The entire Pad Project Team is so grateful for the support of our wonderful donors, each of whom has helped us
further the fight for menstrual equity in 2023. Click here to see how our programs have continued to grow and to
empower the lives of women and girls around the world.

473,000

Menstrual products provided

12

Operational pad-making machines in: India, Nepal, Kenya, Sri Lanka

111,750

Girls and women reached with menstrual health education workshops

8

Washable pad and menstrual cup programs in: Bahamas, Ghana, Guatemala, Kenya, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda

534,000

Disposable & washable pads produced

165

Women employed in production and sales

463,000

Menstrual products distributed

32,000

Individuals served

55

Nonprofit/Individual/School/School district partnerships created

26

States & Washington D.C.

500

Participants

200,000

Products donated

42

Countries represented

25

School clubs

“The menstrual hygiene products donated by The Pad Project mean that our young people have the items they need to attend school, work or job interviews and fun activities with dignity and confidence everyday. We are so grateful for this important partnership addressing a critical need for our young people as they empower themselves to rise above adversity today and in the future."

Amanda SattlerChief Development and Communications Officer Covenant House California (United States)

“This project is the most impactful student service that is provided here at East Troy High School. It allows students facing period poverty to still access the products they need, leading to more self confidence, personal comfort, and school performance. I hope this project can continue for many more years so it can continue to help menstruating people who attend East Troy.”

StudentEast Troy High School (United States)

“Advancing menstrual equity is essential to achieving gender equality. When menstruators miss school or work, they are missing out on crucial opportunities that can impact their futures significantly. This causes the gender gap to grow.”

SopheneFounder and Executive Director, Equal Period (United States)

“When schools offer free pads and tampons in the bathrooms, it signals to young adults that their needs matter and that their period is an important part of being healthy.”

OliviaEast Troy High School (United States)

“The period project has positively affected my life— the stigma for periods and the symptoms of it has always made me super anxious talking about it. Having an open discussion about periods and having free tampons and pads has helped me with my anxiety about this all.”

StudentEast Troy High School (United States)

“This project has given opportunities for women like me to find a source of income and support our families. Working here has made me financially independent and not always dependent on my husband for money. Through our unit I am also able to learn so much about menstrual health products and especially about our biodegradable pads. I am also able to tell other women in our communities about the pads and raise awareness.”

ZhehuliEco Hub (India)

“I liked everything and thanks for teaching us and giving us ideas about those pads… now I have learned and I will take care of myself. I am also going to make my pads with my mom.”

Yeimy5th grader, Pencils of Promise Guatemala

“Sewing washable pads has helped me earn and financially support my children and I am assisting my husband to provide other household needs. Now, I have a voice in decision making in the home.”

SeinyaSierra Leone Rising

“In a country like India where menstruation is still considered a "woman's issue" and a taboo, it was especially special to see a lot of men show up wanting to learn more about menstruation and how they can help their wives/daughters/sisters better manage their period.”

ShreyaTPP Ambassador (India)

“So often we think that periods are a “woman’s issue” the understanding is that women bleed every month because that’s their common biological function they all endure. However, The Pad Project has dismantled that notion… menstruation is so much more than a five day function, but a life-changing experience, especially for those with disabilities. This realization is helping to break stigmas and promote human progression.”

StellaTPP Ambassador (United States)

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