Earth Sisters Fiji Sustainable Practices in Menstrual Hygiene
Strengthening Climate-adaptive Menstrual Hygiene Management at the community level; education on the use and sustainable benefits of reusable cloth sanitary pads.
The need for Menstral Hygiene Management in remote areas
Women and girls living in remote areas are especially vulnerable to the lack of menstrual hygiene supplies.
This project addresses the need for:
Having a reliable sanitary pad to manage their menstruation that does not require additional household spending. The savings generated can be allocated to children’s educations and also provide for general improvement to household finances
Provide educational mini workshops on the use of and sustainable benefits of reusable cloth sanitary pads, share accurate information on menstruation with rights-based approach, and
The resources shared in the workshop will enable the participants to teach other members of the community, creating a ripple effect improving the livelihoods of others.
A call to action is needed / Rethink, Reuse, Reduce, Refuse.
Earth Sisters Fiji passion to support women in the Pacific has identified the lack of:
Affordability and accessibility to menstrual products
Taboo and stigma around menstruation encourages isolation and silence around menstruation,
Accessibility to age related menstruation education and environmentally friendly menstruation products
Having to choose between proper period hygiene products or food and water. Having to use unsuitable materials such as socks and other materials causing ill health
Inability and difficulty in accessing menstrual products. This is a physical issue however there are mental issues related to period poverty
Project Outcomes
Over four days and working alongside Medical Services Pacific National Outreach Coordinator/WASH program Earth Sisters Fiji was able to provid firsthand education on the use and sustainable benefits of reusable cloth sanitary pads. This was complemented by distributing pad packs, which included educational materials “Are You Prepared for Your Period?” and workbook, wear care, and storage instructions. Present at all our sessions was Medical Services Pacific and the local community nurse, supporting our program. Attendees at the presentation were parents, teachers & mothers.
In total, Earth Sisters Fiji successfully distributed 140 packs of 6 sustainable sanitary products to women living in three remote villages North of Suva, Fiji. Fiji Cancer Society also provided a wonderful platform for us to share our education on reusable pads during a freescreening day in Lautoka.
Volunteer doctors, nurses, medical students, diabetic specialists, pharmacistand Ministry of Health and Medical Services team enthusiastically participatedin our mini workshops and received their pad packs.
The questions they asked and the feedback they provided were truly inspiring.
Read the full project report here
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Communities based in Tailevu and Naitasiri Provinces, Fiji
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February - March 2025
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The Pacific region is considered to be at the frontline of climate change. Six of the fifteen most
vulnerable countries are in the Pacific region.
Climate change poses several challenges to menstrual hygiene.
Our aims are:
Provide 140 women in 2 remote communities with reusable sanitary pad packs
• Education using “Are you Prepared for your Periods?” workbook,
• Empower women with Menstrual Hygiene Management security
• Promote Menstrual Hygiene sustainable practices
• Becoming advocates to other community members on sustainable MHM.
The location of the roll out is as advised by Medical Services Pacific taking into account the
remoteness of the communities and accessibility to menstrual hygiene supplies.
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Earth Sisters Fiji successfully distributed 140 packs of 6 sustainable sanitary products to women living in three remote villages North of Suva, Fiji.
Volunteer doctors, nurses, medical students, diabetic specialists, pharmacistand Ministry of Health and Medical Services team enthusiastically participatedin our mini workshops and received their pad packs.
The questions they asked and the feedback they provided were truly inspiring.
Distribution of reusable cloth sanitary pad packs and workbooks.
At a direct community level, deliver sustainable empowerment to 140 women in Fiji expanding SDG’s 4, 5, 6.2 & 13 as our core foundations.
The workshops and distribution of reusable sanitary pads and educational workbooks will enable participants to become advocates in their communities and families for Menstral Hygiene Management & climate action.
