Rwandans have joined a major campaign aimed at ending period poverty in the country.
Citizens are pledging and donating sanitary pads so the poor could be supported.
So far more than 1,000 sanitary pads have been pledged and donated following a day-long campaign on Twitter.
The ‘I Matter initiative’ used the hashtag #FreeThePeriod to highlight the project and engage with supporters.
In many parts of Africa, girls are unable to go to school due to lack of sanitary pads during menstrual periods.
Jeannine Kizima from the group told the BBC that “We had only managed to get to two schools in the north but with a big number of pledgers, we are now hopeful to reach as many girls as we can.”
Kizima is part of over ten young people who launched the initiative in September 2019 to help girls from poor families acquire pads.
Did you know?
1. A donation of 7200Rwf can help any menstruator for an entire year.
2. A single menstrual cup of about 25$ can last more than 5 years.Join our Period campaign to end period poverty and shame using #imatter2020 #Endperiodpoverty #periodcampaign #Rwanda pic.twitter.com/wj1X9MzzGn
— I Matter Initiative (@Imatter_Period) January 28, 2020
The daughter of President Paul Kagame, Ange Kagame was among those who accepted the challenge to support the donation campaign.
Merci Gaelle. I accept the challenge. I pledge 80 sanitary pads to @Imatter_Period. I challenge @BeliseKariza @NatButera @raissagak @LNtayombya @oruzibiza @InzukiDesigns. https://t.co/jMvMxMf2Fz
— Ange.I. Kagame (@AngeKagame) January 28, 2020
Donations are overwhelming
With several hashtags all dedicated to supporting the campaign, people are still pledging so enough pads could be raised to support those in need.
@Fionambabazi1 24 packs as promised. Great you sensitize for this issue, kudos also to @IAkaliza . Waiting for collection points we discussed. #EndPeriodpoverty @Imatter_Period #IMatter2020 #EndPeriodShame #RwOT pic.twitter.com/JDZ5tkMGVb
— Lucas . (@Lucas_Afrilive) January 29, 2020
Thank you ChinChin ?. I accept the challenge and pledge 50 sanitary pads to @Imatter_Period . @Rugaamba @TantineMariella @Mwizawase @thedanli @apsabineza @PamelaMunyana @Ituzechris @Philippe_N_ @jkanam @ericambanda @imbabazi_ @RSangwa will you join us to #endperiodpoverty? https://t.co/1Tr0ti8ORd
— Iyaga (@LaureIyaga) January 29, 2020
Let’s continue to fight for the accessiblity and affordability of sanitary pads to all girls and women for the enhancement of menstrual hygiene, an urgent human rights issue.Thank you @Fionambabazi1 for making all these donations possible #endperiodpoverty #RwoT pic.twitter.com/RLogTC26uS
— Tamu Sanitary Pads (@Tamu_Pads) January 29, 2020
Thank you Ange. I accept the challenge and I pledge 50 sanitary pads to @Imatter_Period. I challenge @Dr_Ildephonse @IsabelleZaberra @ericambanda @Kangeli_ @SunnyNtayombya
— Lisanne Ntayombya (@LNtayombya) January 29, 2020
Challenge Accepted ✅ – pledging 50 sanitary pads to @Imatter_Period. Nominating : @CandyBaso @AteteRugege @JanetKaremera @sarodriques @DonnaTruly @MarkB_Schreiner @EDearbornH @Minzo @DavidToovey @MutoniBonita to join the challenge. https://t.co/MK7bvc83kp
— Linda Ndungutse (@LindaNdungutse) January 29, 2020
I own up to this noble cause, glad to contribute to @Imatter_Period. We pledge to contribute at least 100 sanitary pads. Challenging now @bkayonga @ByusaM @richard_tusabe @AgaciroFund
— Jack Nkusi Kayonga (@Jack_Kayonga) January 29, 2020
Challenge accepted sis @AngeKagame. Very glad to contribute to @Imatter_Period. I had already pledged 10. I would like to pledge 40 more making them a total of 50 sanitary pads. Challenging now @AKageruka @MutesiLinda @MutoniBonita @gertrude91
— Belise Kariza (@BeliseKariza) January 28, 2020
In December 2019 Rwanda removed value-added taxes on sanitary products to make it easier for families to access them.
In parts of Africa governments are still yet to remove taxes on such products.
Source: Africafeeds.com
