How lack of access to sanitary towels can exclude girls from right to education

I was recently made aware of this article by the Guardian, and the one following it that came out in the Times. The two articles describe the situations in India and South Africa - however, similar situations face other women around the world. It has been estimated that many rural schoolgirls miss a week of schooling a month because of lack of access to sanitary towels. That works out to 13 learning days in every school term, losing 156 learning days in the 144 weeks of high school.

But India's women have recently been given a low-cost route to sanitary protection. As many women around the world, few Indian women can afford sanitary towels. But one social entrepreneur aims to change that, and provide an income too.

Check out the Guardian story here.

And another similar story explaining the situation in South Africa and what the government is doing.

There are some very real social issues here, many of which are dramatically impacting girls and their human rights. Perhaps with some communications to work towards breaking the taboo of talking about menstruation in the case of India, or lobbying the government in South Africa, we could help to improve the situation for these women and girls. Potential TIE projects perhaps?