A volunteer from Kingston has raised thousands of pounds to help combat period poverty in Kenya.
Laura Murphy, 19, travelled to Kenya on June 6 with international development organisation VSO, as part of the UK government funded International Citizen Service (ICS) programme.
Her work in the East African country has so far included awareness-raising on issues of sexual health, education, women’s rights and economic empowerment.
In particular, Ms Murphy identified the severe social problems associated with period poverty in Kenya as something she wanted to address.
Since starting her volunteer placement in Rombo, Kenya, the Kingstonian set up a fundraising page with the aim of supplying hundreds of menstrual cups to Kenyan women and girls living in the area.
The cups are a simple and highly effective solution to the problems caused by not having the means to manage one's periods properly.
Period poverty is thought to affect hundreds of millions of women and girls worldwide, most of whom live in the developing countries of the Global South.
"Persistent harmful socio-cultural norms, stigma, misconceptions and taboos around menstruation, continue to lead to exclusion and discrimination of women and girls," a group of experts working at the UN pointed out on March 8 (International Women's Day) earlier this year.
Describing the issues faced by those who lacked the resources to manage their periods, Ms Murphy said that improvements would benefit their education first and foremost.
"Boys and girls need to get the best education possible. However, each month many girls miss a week of school, because it is their time of the month and they can’t afford basic sanitary protection.
"There is simply no money for tampons or sanitary towels and in any case, these are not sustainable solutions.
"Girls may try to make do with rags, leaves or bark. The risk of humiliation if they have a leak in a country where the subject of periods is still taboo forces many to simply stay at home during their time of the month.
"This can add up to 3 months of school lost per year. Lost education and lost opportunity," she said.
The Kingston native pointed out that menstrual cup that was a direct way to help alleviate this hardship.
"The Menstrual Cup is a simple but effective solution. It means a girl is liberated and no longer has to miss school.
"Made from medical grade silicon, the cup can be reused for up to 10 years.
"It costs nothing to reuse and, of course, there is nothing to throw away — so it is both environmentally friendly and brilliant value," she said.
Around a month after her fundraising page was set up, Ms Murphy has raised over £2,000 for the cause so far, but is not stopping there.
The aim is to hit at least £3,000 with the fundraiser, which would pay for 300 cups that she and her fellow volunteers plan to distribute.
"We will provide the education and distribution to ensure it goes to a girl who is taught how to use it safely.
"That’s £10 to change a life. What an amazingly cost-effective donation!" Ms Murphy said.
To donate, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thecup
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