Access to feminine hygiene products is a public health and human dignity issue affecting millions worldwide. Menstrual products such as sanitary pads, menstrual cups, and reusable cloth pads are essential for safe menstrual management, yet many women and girls lack adequate acces to products, sanitation, and education. This gap contributes to health risks, school and work absenteeism, and social stigma. Which is why many NGOs are developing programs that combine product distribution, education, and community-based solutions across different regions.
How NGOs Expand Access to Feminine Hygiene Products Worldwide
Globally operating NGOs addressing menstrual health focus on three main areas. These include access to feminine hygiene products, menstrual health education, and stigma reduction. Many organisations use sustainable approaches, such as reusable products or local manufacturing, to support long-term access. The NGOs listed below represent different regions and operating models. Each contributes to better health, education, and gender equity through expanded access to feminine hygiene products.
1. Days for Girls
Days for Girls is an international NGO that improves access to menstrual care through long-lasting reusable kits, education, and support for locally led production models. Operating in over 145 countries, the organisation combines product distribution with menstrual health education, social enterprise development, and policy advocacy, reaching more than three million women and girls globally.
Official website: https://www.daysforgirls.org/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daysforgirls
2. The Pad Project: Feminine Hygiene Products
The Pad Project advances menstrual equity by providing sanitary products, menstrual education, and pad-making machines that enable local production and employment. Its community-led approach supports both access and economic empowerment, with over one million menstrual products distributed and thousands reached through education programs worldwide.
Official website: https://thepadproject.org/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepadproject
3. Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE)
Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE) supports women-led businesses in East Africa that produce affordable sanitary pads using locally sourced materials. By linking menstrual health to local supply chains and economic development, the organisation addresses long-term affordability and availability while reaching tens of thousands directly and millions through awareness campaigns.
Official website: https://sheinnovates.com/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shenterprises/
4. Myna Mahila Foundation
Myna Mahila Foundation focuses on menstrual health, reproductive education, and economic empowerment in urban informal settlements by producing low-cost sanitary pads and delivering health education. Its research-driven, community-based model has reached over one million beneficiaries through product access, employment opportunities, and hygiene education.
Official website: https://mynamahila.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mynamahila/
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5. ZanaAfrica Foundation: Feminine Hygiene Products For Kenyan Girls
ZanaAfrica Foundation supports adolescent girls in Kenya by combining sanitary pad distribution with comprehensive reproductive health and life-skills education through its Nia Program. Since its founding, the organisation has reached over 250,000 girls, using menstrual health as an entry point to address education, consent, and gender norms.
Official website: https://zanaafrica.org/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zanaafricafoundation/
6. SHE Global Project
SHE Global Project is a youth-led nonprofit providing sanitary pads and menstrual education through partnerships with shelters and community organisations. Its work focuses on product distribution, stigma reduction, and community dialogue, using collaboration and advocacy to expand access to feminine hygiene products.
Official website: https://www.sheglobalproject.org/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheglobalproject/
7. PadsForHer Initiative: Providing Feminine Hygiene Products
PadsForHer Initiative addresses period poverty by distributing sanitary pads, delivering menstrual hygiene education, and advocating for menstrual equity in schools and underserved communities. Its programs typically provide year-long pad supplies alongside education, with outreach efforts reaching hundreds of women and girls through local institutions.
Official website: https://padsforher.org/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/padsforherinitiative/
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8. Girlz4Pads
Girlz4Pads is an international nonprofit that distributes sanitary pads and provides menstrual education through partnerships with local organisations and youth advocates. With a strong focus on sustainability and awareness, the organisation reports distributing over 225,000 pads across multiple countries.
Official website: https://girlz4pads.org/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlz4pads/
9. Women’s Wellness Foundation
Women’s Wellness Foundation promotes menstrual health through advocacy, education, and large-scale product distribution initiatives such as its One Million Pad Drive. Its programs focus on schools and communities, linking menstrual hygiene access with broader women’s health awareness and stigma reduction.
Official website: https://womenswellnessfoundation.com/
10. Pinkishe Foundation
Pinkishe Foundation works across India to combat period poverty through sanitary pad distribution, menstrual literacy programs, and community mobilisation. With over four million pads distributed, the organisation combines education and advocacy to improve access while actively challenging menstrual stigma at the grassroots level.
Official website: https://www.pinkishe.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkishefoundation/
NGOs that provide feminine hygiene products play a critical role in addressing menstrual health gaps worldwide. By combining product access with education, employment, and policy engagement, these organisations contribute to improved health outcomes, educational participation, and social inclusion. While approaches vary by region and context, the underlying objective remains consistent: ensuring menstruation does not limit access to dignity, opportunity, or basic rights.
