How to Deliver Sanitary Pads to Marginalized Communities

by Aminata Diop

I want to share why affordable sanitary pads are so important, what the situation is like in Senegal, what I would do if chosen to distribute pads, and how I feel about speaking in public and leading.

1) Importance of affordable sanitary pads

Affordable sanitary pads are essential for girls’ dignity, health, and education. When girls don’t have proper pads, they may miss school during their periods. This makes them fall behind and can affect their future. Also, using unsanitary materials (old cloths, rags, unsafe substitutes) can cause infections, irritation, or worse health problems. Affordable pads help ensure that every girl can attend school regularly and remain healthy. They also reduce stigma and shame around menstruation when girls feel clean and prepared.

2) Sanitary pads in my region:

In many parts of Senegal, especially rural areas or disadvantaged urban neighborhoods, girls sometimes miss school because they cannot afford sanitary pads. I know girls who use old cloths or even paper, because that is what they have. Sometimes those materials are not clean or dry, so infections like yeast infections or skin rashes happen. I have heard stories of girls being ashamed and staying home during menstrual days. In some villages pads are expensive or not sold locally, so transport costs make them more costly. So yes: absence from school happens; health risks happen; the need is real.

3) Distribution plan with $300 budget: What I would do if chosen to distribute sanitary pads. If I were selected to distribute sanitary pads, I would plan carefully. I would choose to take 300 disposable pads plus 100 reusable cloth pads (for sustainability) because reusable ones help girls who cannot always buy disposables. I would go to rural areas regions, where poverty is high and supply is low. Also, I would include some urban slums in Dakar.

Supplies I would need:

300 disposable sanitary pads

• 100 cloth reusable pads.

• Small cloth or paper bags for distribution (100 pieces).

• Soap bars (for hygiene), about 50 bars.

• Educational flyers in local language.

• Transport cost to reach the village (motorbike or shared transport).

Budget breakdown:

1. Item and quantity: 300 disposable pads. Estimated Cost per item (USD): $0.40 each. Total (USD): $120.

2. Item and quantity: 100 reusable cloth pads. Estimated Cost per item (USD): $1.20 each. Total (USD): $120.

3. Item and quantity: 100 Bags for distribution. Estimated Cost per item (USD): $0.20 each. Total (USD): $20.

4. Item and quantity: 50 Soap bars. Estimated Cost per item (USD): $0.50 each. Total (USD): $25.

5. Item: Flyers & printing. Total (USD): $10.

6. Item: Transport. Total (USD): $5.

Estimated Total ≈ $300.

Implementation: I would spend 1-2 days going to the rural area to deliver pads, hold a small session with women/girls about hygienic pad use, cleaning reusable pads, and safe disposal.

4) Am I a comfortable public speaker? Do I enjoy leadership roles?

Yes, I am reasonably comfortable speaking in public. As a woman in Senegal who is atheist, taking leadership roles sometimes means going against strong tradition, but I feel that courage comes from conviction. I enjoy organizing, coordinating, teaching. My belief in humanism pushes me to speak out about matters that affect women and girls, even when it’s uncomfortable. Distributing sanitary pads would not only help materially but also symbolically: showing girls they are worthy of dignity. I would lead this project with pride, humility, and the belief that change begins when someone stands up.