At Katubza Primary School in rural Dowa District, 1 in 4 girls drops out by age 17 due to menstruation-related stigma, unplanned pregnancies, and child marriage. Women Palm Tree Organization (WPTO) is transforming this narrative by tackling the root causes of inequality one reusable pad, one mentorship session, and one empowered girl at a time.
7.5% Annual Dropout Rate: 600+ girls aged 10–17 miss school monthly due to lack of menstrual products and hygiene facilities.
Silent Crisis: Without access to sanitary pads or puberty education, girls face shame, unplanned pregnancies, and early marriage.
Overcrowded Classrooms: Poorly resourced schools like Katubza struggle to support vulnerable learners, deepening gender gaps.
1. Menstrual Health & Hygiene Access
Reusable Sanitary Pad Production:
Train 10 mothers in tailoring to produce affordable, washable pads.
Provide 5 sewing machines and materials to establish a school-based workshop.
Distribute free pads to 746 high-risk girls, ensuring consistent school attendance.
2. Sexual Reproductive Health Education
Mentorship Programs: Peer-led sessions on puberty, safe choices, and bodily autonomy.
Girls’ Clubs: Safe spaces for 400+ girls to share experiences and build confidence.
Parent & Teacher Sensitization: Workshops to combat stigma and support girls’ education.
3. Economic Empowerment
Mothers sell surplus pads and uniforms at low cost, generating income for their families.
School uniforms sewn for vulnerable learners, reducing absenteeism among poorest students.
Sustainable Model: Pad production and mentorship are led by local mothers and students, ensuring long-term ownership.
Holistic Approach: Combines material support (pads), education (SRHR), and community advocacy.
Scalable Impact: Success here will model solutions for other rural Malawian schools.
After missing classes, boys teased me for being ‘dumb.’ Now, with reusable pads from the project, I’m at the top of my class. I want to be a nurse!
I used to turn rags during my period. When they leaked, boys laughed, so I stayed home. I thought I’d never finish school.
I didn’t know what was happening to my body. I thought I was dying. No one told me it was normal, so I hid in shame for weeks.
I missed school every month because I had nothing to use. My teacher thought I was lazy, but how could I explain? I fell so far behind, I almost quit.
An NGO dedicated to empowering vulnerable women, girls, single mothers, and widows in Dowa Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi.
