At 1000HUGS Foundation, we recognize that menstrual health is a fundamental human right, yet for many girls and young women across Uganda, it remains a source of stigma, shame, and a barrier to education and empowerment. Our fight against period poverty is central to our mission of promoting the dignity, health, and equality of adolescent girls and young women, particularly in underserved and marginalized communities.

What We Do

1. Sanitary Pad Distribution
   We provide free sanitary pads to school-going girls and those in vulnerable settings who cannot afford them. Our goal is to ensure that no girl misses school or daily activities due to menstruation. With each pack, we offer not just a product, but an opportunity for a girl to stay in school, build confidence, and reclaim her right to thrive.
2. Menstrual Health Education
   We conduct interactive sessions in schools and communities to educate girls (and boys) about menstruation, menstrual hygiene management (MHM), and reproductive health. These sessions are tailored to demystify periods, challenge harmful myths, and equip girls with accurate information to manage their periods safely and confidently.
3. Empowering Local Solutions
   We promote the production and use of reusable pads as a sustainable solution to period poverty. Through our skills training programs, we empower women and youth to make reusable sanitary pads, creating both access and livelihood opportunities within communities.
4. Community Engagement and Advocacy
   We work with local leaders, parents, teachers, and religious figures to break the cultural silence surrounding menstruation. Our campaigns challenge menstrual stigma and promote policy change that prioritizes menstrual health in education and public health planning.
5. Supporting Girls Beyond the Period
   Period poverty is often a symptom of broader systemic inequalities. Through our integrated approach, we support adolescent girls with counseling, life skills, and mentorship, addressing related challenges such as early pregnancy, child marriage, and gender-based violence.

Impact

1. Reduced school absenteeism among girls during their menstrual cycles.
2. Increased awareness and positive attitudes about menstruation among boys and community members.
3. Enhanced self-esteem and dignity among girls through access to proper menstrual hygiene materials and knowledge.
4. Strengthening community responsibility in protecting and empowering girls.

Our Vision

We envision a society where menstruation is normalized, not stigmatized. A society where no girl is left behind simply because she menstruates. Through collective effort and community-driven change, we are building a future where menstruation is not a barrier, but a natural, supported part of life.