Promotion of Menstrual Health Management (PMHM)

Menstrual-related issues are the leading cause of absenteeism among school girls. Providing health education and resources for proper menstrual health management reduces absenteeism and improves academic performance. Poor menstrual hygiene practices can lead to reproductive tract infections and, if untreated, to pelvic inflammatory disease and primary infertility.

The project covered 14 secondary schools in Kondoa District: Bereko, Kisese, Kikore, Hurui, Masange, Bumbuta, Abeid Karume, Kiteo, Kinyasi, Busi, Loo, Intela, Kalamba and R.M Lowassa. It was supported by the Tuscany Region in Italy.

Direct beneficiaries

• 56 girl students trained as peer-to-peer educators on PMHM and SRH.
• 1,700 female students received washable sanitary pads.
• 168 students (84 boys, 84 girls) participated in health club debates.
• 120 secondary school teachers trained on SRH and MHH.

Achievements

A total of 7,200 washable sanitary pads (4 maxi pads, 2 super maxi pads, a storage pouch and a Swahili user manual per pack) were procured and distributed to 1,800 girls across the 14 schools. Sanitary facilities were renovated at Kisese, R.M Lowassa, Kiteo and Kinyasi secondary schools — including changing rooms fitted with metal doors, water pipes laid from the sources, 3,000-litre storage tanks on new risers, hand-wash platforms with four taps, furniture for changing rooms and a replacement submersible pump at Kinyasi. Health clubs of 12 trained peer educators were created in each school, and a joint Tanzania/Italy monitoring mission visited Kisese and Kiteo from 29 September to 3 October 2025.