CouldYou? Cup Empowers Girls and Fights Period Poverty in Mulanje, Malawi
CouldYou? Cup organized successful menstrual hygiene event in Mulanje.
Mulanje, Malawi: CouldYou? Cup, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to ending period poverty by 2040, organised a successful menstrual hygiene awareness event in Mulanje on May 28, 2023, in honour of International Menstrual Hygiene Day, write Rose Milanzi and Winston Mwale.
Over 100 girls attended the event, where they were educated on proper menstrual hygiene practises and introduced to sustainable alternatives such as menstrual cups.
During the event, the girls received valuable knowledge on managing their menstruation safely and hygienically.
Faith Smart, a participant from Namasalima village in Traditional Authority Njema, Mulanje, expressed her gratitude for the event's impact on her perspective.
"I used to think that menstruation was something to be ashamed of," Faith shared. "But now I know that it's a normal part of being a woman and that there are ways to manage it safely and hygienically."
Jones Mwalwanda, CouldYou? Cup Malawi, Program Director, explained that CouldYou? started as a literacy programme to educate children in Mozambique, where 94% of girls entered kindergarten but only 11% entered secondary school. Research showed that one obstacle was due to their menstrual cycle, and was a global issue.
This led to girls missing school, giving up on dreams, and even getting pushed into transactional sex for pads.
Girls were becoming sick using unsanitary rags, leaves, and newspapers.
They were living life with indignity and shame. That is why CouldYou? began to focus on ending period poverty by distributing their FDA-registered, medical-grade silicone menstrual cup.
One cup lasts 10 years and is only $10 (11,166 MWK). In the past 4 years, CouldYou? has served over 100,000 girls/women (mostly in Africa) with a CouldYou? Cup and, in 2023, began to work in Malawi.
Mwalwanda highlighted the importance of celebrating International Menstrual Hygiene Day and how it serves as a platform to support vulnerable girls and promote environmentally friendly menstrual products like zero waste CouldYou? Cup while tampons/pads take 500–800 years to decompose.
The goal is to improve overall menstrual health and hygiene across Malawi.
"Our mission is to distribute the Could You? Cup to marginalised women across the globe, aiming to normalise menstruation by including all people in conversations about menstrual health," Mwalwanda stated.
"We are committed to ending period poverty and providing employment opportunities to women in need through partnerships with community-based organisations."
The event in Mulanje marked the organization's first step in Malawi, and Mwalwanda emphasised their dedication to staying in the country and continuing their work alongside the government, the private sector, and community leaders.
He said CouldYou? Cup aims to create supportive environments where girls and women can manage menstruation without shame, embarrassment, or stigma.
“Access to menstrual cups, water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, affordable materials, information, and good practises are vital for effective menstrual management,” he said.
As part of their ongoing efforts, CouldYou? Cup plans to organise more menstrual hygiene awareness events throughout Malawi.
Additionally, they offer a mentorship programme for girls interested in becoming menstrual health advocates, ensuring a sustainable and empowered future for menstrual health in the region.
With their commitment to ending period poverty and empowering girls, CouldYou? Cup's impactful initiatives are paving the way for positive change in Mulanje and beyond.