In a dissemination workshop held in Kigali on September 11, 2024, organized by Ihorere Munyarwanda Organization (IMRO) Rwanda, key stakeholders gathered to address the critical issue of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in Rwanda.
The workshop, supported by Amplify Change, unveiled a policy brief aimed at enhancing accessibility and affordability of menstrual products, particularly for vulnerable girls and women in rural and urban areas.
The policy brief, presented by Fidele Mutoni, a consultant on gender and women’s rights, explored the high costs of sanitary products and the barriers associated with menstrual health.
According to Mutoni, “50% of girls in Rwanda face difficulties accessing sanitary products due to their high cost, especially in rural regions.”
These challenges result in period poverty, school absenteeism, and limited participation in community activities. The findings align with previous reports, showing that 34% of adolescent girls experience period poverty, affecting their education and well-being.
Challenges Highlighted: Unaffordable Products and Stigmatization
The workshop findings indicated that while tax reductions on sanitary pads had been implemented by the government, their cost remains prohibitive for many families.
“A pack of sanitary pads can cost up to Rwf6,000, with monthly supplies costing Rwf1,000. For families with multiple girls, this expense becomes overwhelming,” emphasized Crescence Mukantabana, Executive Director of Reseau de Developpement des Femmes Pauvres.
Mukantabana stressed that poor families, both in rural and urban areas, struggle to afford these essential products. “We are not asking for free pads, but the price needs to be reduced to an affordable level—at least Rwf600 per pack,” she added.
Participants also called for government intervention in the form of transportation incentives and subsidies for local manufacturers to alleviate the financial burden. “Most sanitary products are imported, and transportation costs remain high due to global conflicts. We need subsidies to empower local manufacturers and reduce reliance on costly imports,” Mutoni explained.
Key Recommendations: National Guidelines and Subsidized Products
During the workshop, IMRO Rwanda’s Executive Director Aimable Mwananawe urged participants to thoroughly review the policy brief and advocate for stronger national guidelines. These guidelines would improve the accessibility, affordability, and quality of menstrual products across Rwanda, ensuring the dignity and well-being of women and girls.
The policy brief made several key recommendations, including:
- Establishing comprehensive national guidelines for menstrual health management.
- Subsidizing menstrual hygiene products to lower costs for vulnerable populations.
- Strengthening education and awareness programs to address stigmatization and misinformation, particularly among adolescents.
- Encouraging the use of reusable menstrual products as a sustainable alternative.
Voices from the Ground: Advocacy for Long-Term Solutions
Participants at the workshop expressed the need for a unified advocacy movement. Emelyne Kaneza, Executive Secretary of the Rwanda Women’s Network, suggested that NGOs working with women and girls should push for long-term solutions, such as petitioning parliament for government subsidies.
“If we can get the government to cover even 30% of the production costs, it will help maintain quality standards and ensure accessibility,” she noted.
The call for collective advocacy was echoed during the group discussions, with participants identifying strategies to hold policymakers accountable for menstrual health management.
“We need to challenge our governments to prioritize menstrual health as a national issue,” one participant remarked.
Looking Ahead: Building Partnerships and Addressing Gaps
IMRO’s Project Coordinator, Rozine Izabayo, concluded by emphasizing the need for strong partnerships between the government, private sector, and civil society to foster locally made sanitary pads.
“We must ensure that menstrual hygiene kits are available, accessible, and affordable for all girls and women, especially those at risk of dropping out of school due to this challenge,” she stated.
The workshop ended with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to continue advocating for policies that address menstrual health management in Rwanda. As the participants agreed, “Menstruation should not be a problem but rather a solution for life, and our advocacy must reflect this truth.”
Written by Elias Hakizima/Inspirer