Mwezi Club: Advancing Menstrual Health and SRHR for Adolescent Girls

Changemaker: Meria Maganga Country of implementation: Malawi

In Kanyenda, Nkhotakota, Malawi, adolescent girls face significant barriers to education due to limited access to menstrual hygiene products, stigma surrounding menstruation, and inadequate sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education. To address this, the Mwezi Club project will be launched in two schools, creating safe spaces where 50 girls can access accurate information, mentorship, and skills for improved menstrual and reproductive health.

The project will include weekly peer-led sessions covering menstruation, puberty, consent, and SRHR. It will also provide hands-on training in making reusable sanitary pads using locally available materials. Parents, particularly mothers, will participate in workshops to learn pad-making skills and how to better support their daughters.

To foster inclusion and reduce stigma, the project will also engage boys and male teachers through dialogue sessions, promoting empathy and shared responsibility. Starter kits with pad-making materials and booklets will be distributed to girls and their parents.

With technical support from Umunthu Plus, a Malawian NGO experienced in menstrual health and SRHR programming, the Mwezi Club project aims to reduce school absenteeism, promote body confidence, and build supportive community networks for adolescent girls.