Global Menstrual Equity Initiatives
GrassROOTS has taken a global stand to dismantle barriers to menstrual health and achieve menstrual equity globally, ensuring that no girl misses school simply because she has her period. In partnership with individuals, organizations, and policymakers, we have provided over 100,000 sanitary napkins to thousands of girls in the U.S., Jamaica, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. But that is just the beginning.
A Global Fight for Dignity
Menstrual equity means equal access to period products, education, and the ability to manage menstruation with dignity.
Period poverty is the lack of access to these essentials due to financial barriers. With period supplies costing $25–$30 per month, many struggle to afford them. In the U.S., more than half of states still tax period products as luxuries, while girls in poverty miss up to three months of school per year simply because they can’t afford supplies.
That’s why we created GrassROOTS Community Foundation’s Global Menstrual Equity Council (GMEC), a global initiative bringing together advocates, policymakers, and organizations from the U.S., Jamaica, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana to fight for menstrual equity.
This is not just a women’s issue—it’s a human rights issue. No one should suffer or be held back simply for having a period.
Join us. Donate, advocate, and educate.
Watch this video and explore the links below to learn about our nearly decade-long efforts to end period poverty globally:
At GrassROOTS, we believe menstruation should never be a barrier to education or dignity.
That’s why we created GrassROOTS Community Foundation’s Global Menstrual Equity Council (GMEC), a global initiative bringing together advocates, policymakers, and organizations from the U.S., Jamaica, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana to fight for menstrual equity.
We also launched the Men for Menstrual Equity Advisory Council to engage male allies in this movement.
Together, we are increasing health literacy, advocating for policy change, and ensuring product access for those in need.
Join the GrassROOTS public health initiative – a campaign to promote menstrual equity.
Day 1: Awareness and Education
Day 2: Creating Dialogue and Building Empathy
Day 3: Action and Empowerment
the Men for Menstrual Equity Advisory Group
The GrassROOTS Community Foundation formed the Global Menstrual Equity Council (GMEC), which is made up of dedicated women leaders from across the globe. GMEC collaborates with partners to increase scientific understanding of menstruation and its inequities, provide emergency resources for those in need, and advocate for policies that make menstrual products as accessible as toilet paper. GMEC is active across the USA, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and Jamaica.
GrassROOTS has actively involved men and boys in both its volunteer work and advocacy efforts. To deepen its impact, GrassROOTS invited seven men who demonstrated their commitment as feminists and allies to women and girls to join the Men for Menstrual Equity Advisory Group. This group provides counsel on strategies and tactics to reduce period stigma and advocate for menstrual equity.
Together, these groups play a pivotal role in advancing GrassROOTS’ vision of a world where everyone has equal access to menstrual products and can manage their periods with dignity.
COMING SOON
Are you working to #endperiodpoverty? Do you know of an organization doing this work? Do they serve POC, members of the LGBTQIA+ disabled community or those who are incarcerated? If yes, we want to hear from you and include you in our database.
Click the button below to fill out the form.
Join us in the fight to help end period poverty. Donate, advocate, and educate—because no girl should have to choose between her education and her dignity.
