Monrovia- BASA Development Initiatives in partnership with Catholic Relief Services and other organizations on 11 July 2023 began research into menstrual hygiene in Montserrado, Bong, and Grand Bassa Counties.

According to our CEO Katherina Hopkins who leads the BDI team, the research aims at identifying challenges faced by young women especially those of school-going age. The data from the research will be used to raise funds and provide support in an effort to End-Period-Poverty in Liberia. Period poverty refers to the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, facilities, education, and information, affecting menstruating individuals. In Liberia, period poverty remains a significant challenge.

Liberia faces various socio-economic challenges, including a lack of infrastructure and limited access to essential services. In such circumstances, menstrual hygiene management becomes a significant concern for many women and girls. Factors contributing to period poverty in Liberia include limited access to sanitary products, cultural taboos and stigma surrounding menstruation, inadequate sanitation facilities, and a lack of education and awareness.

BDI is one of the major organizations seeking to address period poverty in Liberia. The goal is to provide access to affordable and sustainable menstrual hygiene products, promote education and awareness on menstruation, and improve sanitation facilities in schools and communities.

Collaborative Impact: With technical support from CRS and local women-led organizations, the research uses mixed methods: household surveys, focus group discussions with adolescent girls, and key informant interviews with teachers, parents, and health workers. Preliminary findings will be published in Q4 2023 to guide advocacy and fundraising campaigns.

How You Can Help: Your donation will directly support the distribution of menstrual hygiene kits, construction of girl-friendly latrines in schools, and community workshops to break the silence around menstruation. Together with CRS and BDI, we can turn research into action and ensure that periods become a normal part of life, not a barrier to education.