Access to menstrual hygiene products and education remains a major challenge for many girls living in rural communities. The lack of sanitary materials often contributes to school absenteeism, stigma, and limited opportunities for girls to fully participate in their education and community life.
To address this challenge, Community Action to Restore Lives (CARL), with funding support from Purposeful, carried out a sanitary pad distribution campaign on 13th and 14th August 2023 across 13 communities in the Western Rural Area. The beneficiary communities included Grafton, Mathomeh, Campbeltown, Tombo, Sattia, Tissana, Fogbo, Crossing, Brama, Kuwama, Matenkeh, and Masantigie.
The initiative aimed to improve menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls, reduce school absenteeism caused by a lack of sanitary products, and challenge harmful stereotypes and stigma surrounding menstruation. Through CARL’s established safe spaces and community engagement activities, girls received essential sanitary pads and valuable information on menstrual health and hygiene.
By ensuring that girls have access to the resources they need, CARL continues to promote dignity, confidence, and improved health outcomes for young women and girls. This intervention not only supports girls’ education but also strengthens community awareness and encourages open conversations about menstrual health, helping to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for all.
Together with Purposeful, CARL remains committed to empowering girls and advancing their rights, health, and well-being across Sierra Leone

Wrapping Up with Key Insights

Providing access to menstrual hygiene products is more than a health intervention it is an investment in girls’ education, dignity, confidence, and empowerment. By addressing menstrual stigma and ensuring girls have the resources they need, CARL is helping create communities where every girl can thrive without barriers.