Support Irise International in Their Mission to Make Period Poverty and Stigma a Thing of the Past

Irise works to create a world where no girl is held back by her period. Girls around the world experience shame and stigma when they start their periods and struggle to access the menstrual products, information and support they need. This negatively affects their health, self-esteem and ability to participate in school and work. This is a worldwide issue that, with the correct education and tools, can be greatly eased. Irise has made it their mission to start reducing the negative stigma around periods. They have also make it their challenge to  ease the lack of sanitary products available. Irise believe that period education and sanitary products should be available to women and girls the world over.

Here Are Some Unsettling Facts...

In Uganda, over half of girls are using improvised materials like rags or bits of mattress to manage menstruation. They are missing school as a result. In the UK, 1 in 10 girls have been unable to afford sanitary pads and receive no preparation before their first period. This is an issue that needs to be addressed. A lack of proper tools means that these girls are missing out on valuable childhood experiences or education. No one should have to feel guilty or shameful about something that essentially means that they are a happy and healthy young woman.

What Do They Do?

Irise works in partnership with young people to develop programmes to end menstrual shame and ensure girls’ have access to the menstrual products, information and facilities that they need. With our support they are able to stay happy and healthy all month long.

Through the generous donations of their supporters they have already enabled over 100,000 girls to feel comfortable and confident during menstruation. This has has a huge impact in helping them to realise their full potential. A woman should never feel like she cannot exercise, go to work or school or even leave the house just because she is on her period.

Just £5 empowers another girl with the pads, information and support she needs.

“Now I no longer get worried…I can do everything, even playing, jumping and sitting in class.” Ugandan school girl

How You Can Help

Now you can help women around the world to get the education and products that they need to better deal with their periods.

Irise International took part in our charity poll in May 2019, winning a donation of £139.81, and we are delighted to be welcoming them back for March 2021, in honour of International Women's Day. You can help them to win 20% of this month's profits by casting your vote today!

For more information about this charity visit www.irise.org.uk.