Huru International is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2008, motivated by a simple vision for a world where no girl or young woman misses out because of her period. Lacking complete information about menstruation or the means to purchase sanitary pads, millions of African girls and young women are forced to stay home from school or work. The consequences are dire: girls who miss school or work each month fall behind, drop out or quit, and engage in risky behaviors to acquire the means to purchase sanitary pads. This creates exploitative, unhealthy environments for girls and women, perpetuating vicious cycles of poverty and gender inequity. To keep vulnerable girls in Africa in school and improve their overall well-being, Huru provides reusable sanitary pads in conjunction with sexual and reproductive health education and life skills workshops. Huru's reusable sanitary pads are distributed in "Huru Kits," a drawstring backpack containing eight Huru pads, three pairs of panties, detergent-grade soap, re-sealable bags for storing soiled pads, user instructions and educational materials focused on sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention. Independent evaluation shows that girls who receive Huru Kits are three times less likely to miss school during their periods. All Huru Pads are locally produced by women and men from underserved communities and are designed for the resilient girls and women who use them. Each Huru pad lasts a minimum of 18 months, making them a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to disposables.

Primary Functions

• Program/Project Implementation

Secondary Functions

• Awareness Raising/Advocacy
• Capacity building/Technical assistance

Geographic Scope

• Global / regional

Attainment

• Primary completion
• Secondary completion

Other

• Other

Other skills

• Financial literacy
• Life skills/sexuality education

Quality

• Teacher training

Website

Huru International

Headquarters location(s)

• Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya
• New York, New York, United States of America

Office location(s)

• N/A

Contacts

Jacquelyn Easterwood

Strategic Partnerships & Donor Engagement Manager

jeasterwood@huruinternational.org

Huru International