Puberty and Hygiene – A Key Step Toward Equal Opportunities

Puberty is a formative phase of life filled with physical, emotional, and social changes. For many girls in Cambodia, especially in remote and rural areas, this time is not only challenging but also limiting. The lack of access to menstrual hygiene, inadequate education, and insufficient sanitation facilities often result in girls missing school during their periods or even dropping out entirely.

Our project, “Puberty and Hygiene,” is dedicated to breaking down these barriers. By improving WASH services (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), providing training for teachers, students, and communities, and offering sustainable menstrual hygiene products, we are creating an environment where girls can learn confidently and stay healthy. Together, we are promoting equal opportunities and paving the way for a brighter future – for every child, regardless of gender or background.

Learn more about our work and how you can help us create meaningful change.

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Quick Facts

Enlightenment – Workshop

Hardware – everything needed

Own production = secure jobs

Puberty and Hygiene in Detail

Enlightenment – Workshops

Each set includes education for students and training for teachers. Both are prepared to better understand the changes of puberty. Girls receive information on physical changes, hygiene, and product use, while key contact persons provide ongoing support and guidance.

Additionally, topics such as fertility, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases are covered to impart knowledge and break down barriers, enabling girls to continue their education successfully.

Hardware – everything you need

Our “set” provides everything girls need for sustainable and hygienic menstrual care. It includes comfortable underwear, washable pads, a bar of soap, and an easy-to-understand guide explaining the use and cleaning of the items. For hygienic storage, the set contains a resealable plastic bag, complemented by a menstrual calendar to help girls track their cycles. Everything is lovingly packed in a colorful fabric bag that is both practical and visually appealing. This set empowers girls to feel safe and confident while promoting their health and well-being.

Gender-Sensitive Toilets for Enhanced Privacy and Hygiene

As part of our project, school toilet facilities are being separated by gender to provide greater privacy and safety for all students. The girls’ toilets are further equipped with a washbasin located directly within the toilet area, allowing for quick and hygienic cleaning.

Another key feature is the installation of secure waste bins discreetly built into the walls of the girls’ toilets. These bins enable the hygienic and private disposal of menstrual products and are emptied from the outside by school staff. These measures help reduce feelings of shame, promote the health of girls, and ensure their attendance at school during menstruation.

Local Production for Sustainable Support

These “sets” are produced locally in collaboration with an organization that has created secure jobs for the community. The combination of sustainable sets and accompanying education helps to promote the health and education of girls. At the same time, the production ensures stable jobs – a success made possible only through the ongoing support of donors who recognize and value this aid.