Giving dignity to women and girls is the motivation behind a group of local women who meet twice a week to sew colourful fabrics into reusable sanitary pads.
The group, led by Debra Gibbs of Richmond Rotary, have distributed 1300 kits over the two years they have been meeting.
“Some have gone overseas to Ghana, India, Zimbabwe and Cambodia and other kits are given locally to Women’s Refuge, Toi Toi Medical Centre, Salvation Army and the Community Karitane nurses,” says Debra.
Each kit contains two shields and eight liners, and the kits that go overseas also have two pairs of cotton knickers, a flannel, soap, a wash bag, a menstrual chart all packaged in a colourful drawstring bag.
None are given out overseas without an education session led by a trained local speaker covering subjects including keeping yourself safe, washing hands, menstruation, and self-defence.
The women are part of the international project Days for Girls which has over 70,000 volunteers worldwide.
Debra says donations of 100 percent cotton fabric in dark colours with symmetrical or floral design, and cotton knickers are always appreciated.
To contribute email nelsonnz@daysforgirls.org
