Health for Humanity (H4H) has worked collaboratively with Days for Girls International (DfG) since 2017. A total of 180 Menstrual Kits, donated by Canadians were transported by the H4H Surgical team, and given to rural young women in Guatemala by the Guatemala NGO Partners for Surgery.
Distribution of Menstrual Kits
The DfG program started in 2008. The program has impacted over 3 million women in 145 countries and provides menstruation management kits and access to timely, factual information about puberty and menstruation.
The education provided to young women and boys as well as adults aims to gender a healthy public perception of menstruation and decreased stigma and shame. DfG combines innovative menstrual health solutions and education by having the kits made in the country of use by Social Enterprises. They are able to advance locally driven policy and advocacy to create long-lasting impact.
The collaboration has evolved to:
- Health for Humanity Service Society (Canada)
- Days for Girls International (headquartered in USA)
- Days for Girls Sask-Alta Enterprise (Canada)
- San Jose Poaquil DfG Enterprise (SJP DfG) (Guatemala)
- ACPC-Partners for Surgery (Guatemala)
A Days for Girls information session
Since the initial 2017 kits H4H and Sask-Alta DfG have co-funded the production of 2300 kits by the San Jose Poaquil DfG Enterprise. The distribution and educational instructions have been shared equally by the SJP DfG and ACPC.
Young women receiving Menstrual Kits
Typical contents of the Menstrual Kits
Commitment for 2025:
Sak-Alta DfG will fund $7300USD for SJP DfG to produce 490 kits and H4H will contribute $5000USD for 333 kits. The kits will be distributed by ACPC to the girls and women during their rural triage mission to remote villages.
Summary of contributions:
2017….180 kits brought from Canada to Guatemala by H4H.
2019-2025….3110 kits purchased for $45000 USD Supreme Kits produced by the Guatemala Social Enterprise SJP DfG and distributed to Guatemala girls and women with educational session by ACPC and SJP DfG.
A young girl with her new Menstrual Kit
The Mission
Increase access to menstrual products and vital health information for women and girls in Guatemala.
The Vision
Have a self-sustainable program that provides a holistic approach to girls’ and women’s health.
The Results
- 500-600 menstrual kits are distributed annually
- DfG currently works with a network of more than 15 local health promoters, who help them reach different departments across Guatemala and deliver the sessions in the local Mayan language whenever needed
- DfG conducts five rural medical missions per year, visiting different communities
- Education sessions are complimented by
- VIA cervical cancer screenings for women +25 years old
- Thermocoagulation treatment in rural communities
- HPV prevention education and promotion of vaccination for mothers and girls
To learn more about Days for Girls, visit their website here.
For more information on Women's and Girls initiatives in Guatemala, learn more here.
For more information on Women's and Girls initiatives in Guatemala, learn more here.