Through a series of menstrual health initiatives in rural Lilongwe District, Malawi, CPAR is helping girls gain the knowledge, support, and resources they need to stay in school and thrive.
One innovative pilot project, launched with support from the Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT), tested the comparative effectiveness of menstrual cups and reusable menstrual pads in selected schools. The goal was to reduce menstruation-related absenteeism - one of the most significant barriers to girls' education. By providing sustainable menstrual products alongside menstrual health education, the project empowers girls to manage their health with dignity.

Building on the success of this pilot, CPAR expanded its menstrual health management programming to engage not only adolescent girls, but also mothers, teachers, and community volunteers. Through these initiatives, participants learned practical skills, challenged stigma surrounding menstruation, and helped create more supportive environments for girls to remain in school.

One key component of the program was training girls and community members to sew reusable sanitary pads. Weekly sewing sessions at Kaphulika Primary School quickly became a hub for learning, attracting participants from neighbouring villages who were eager to develop the skill.

“I was delighted to see adolescent girls and mother group members from outside our school participating in our weekly sewing activities,” says Veronica Chilobwe, Head Teacher at Kaphulika Primary School. “This was a fantastic achievement.”

For many girls, the training offered far more than access to menstrual products. It provided knowledge and a sense of control over an aspect of life that had often been surrounded by silence and stigma.

As a 13-year-old participant says, “I had a wonderful transition into adolescence because my period started when CPAR Malawi was implementing this project, so I had education and support even before my first period.” For her, the benefits were tremendous. “My period is not affecting my education in any way. The project removed my fears and gave me hope, and it was all so much easier because I knew what to expect and I had the pads and the change rooms to rely on.”

Another participant, who was 15 at the time, describes a very different experience as she lists the challenges she faced before joining the program. Unable to afford sanitary products or even soap, she frequently missed school during her period. After staining her uniform and being mocked by classmates, her attendance and academic performance began to decline, and school became a source of anxiety and isolation.

“At one point, I tore my winter jacket into pieces to use the wool for my period,” she recalls.

Participating in the project was transformational. She stopped missing classes each month, became one of the top students in her class, and began teaching other girls the skills she had learned. She also emerged as a strong advocate against menstrual bullying within her community.

Similar changes have been observed at other schools. At Milala Primary School, Head Teacher Matias Mapemba says that menstruation was rarely discussed openly. Since the introduction of reusable pad training, menstrual health education, and improved hygiene facilities, the school has seen notable improvements in girls’ attendance and confidence.

The program’s impact has continued well beyond its initial implementation. Mother Group members have taken ownership of sustaining the initiative, and the sewing machines remain in use as new students learn to make reusable pads. Some schools have even begun producing pads for sale, generating income to purchase additional materials and support ongoing activities.

What began as a menstrual health intervention has evolved into a community-led movement - one that is breaking down stigma and creating opportunities for girls to succeed academically and participate more fully in their communities.