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East Africa Work

Irise / East Africa Work

Sustainable Access to a Choice of Menstrual Products

We focus on creating local access to a choice of affordable menstrual products through; supporting local manufacturers, training entrepreneurs, establishing local markets through social marketing to increase demand and tackling last mile distribution challenges for the most marginalised communities.

Integrating Education about Periods

We work with national and local government to develop curriculum and resources and train schools and teachers to deliver education year after year. We focus on integrating education about periods into existing work so that it becomes part of normal practice.

Transforming Harmful Social Norms

We partner with local champions to tackle myths and taboos surrounding periods. Through empowering local people to lead social change we create long lasting impact for young people and their communities.

Sharing Learning and Shaping Policy

We learn what works and share it with others, working closely with policymakers and local leaders. Through fine tuning and working with others to scale our intervention we’ll empower every school and community in East Africa to become period friendly.

Periods Change Lives

Watch this short video about how periods are changing girls lives and holding them back. As little as £10 a month transforms a girl’s experience from fear to freedom, empowering her to realise her full potential.

Our Impact

Stats and stories about the transformative power of our work

100000

Girls

empowered through happier, healthier periods.

200

Entrepreneurs

enabled to support their communities

500

Teachers and local champions

trained to educate young people

100

Organisations

accessing our resources and support

Hear more about how our approach transforms lives,

Mary and Izela talk about our work...

Stories from our Projects

Updates on how your support is empowering girls and their communities...

"Being able to support Irise has not only empowered myself and people that attend our events but also allowed me to help tackle a crises that can not simply be ignored.”

Josh - Volunteer

"Irise have always been as helpful as they are generous in sharing their substantial expertise to support the development of Dig Deep and our government partner's Menstrual Hygiene Management programme in Kenya."

Ben Skelton - CEO of Dig Deep

"From the start of my collaboration with Irise I have been impressed in that they do not just wish to help school girls but they wish to quantify the effect of what they do. This increases the impact of their work beyond the immediate girls who they assist and is a real strength of the charity."

Steven Julious - Professor of Statistics

"Irise are a world leader in menstrual health research and programming. Their integrity, evidence-based approach and genuine passion are the foundations of their work and I'm privileged to partner with them on a range of exciting projects."

Dr Dani Barrington - Menstrual Health Researcher

"Irise is the first community I have been a part of where I have felt completely open talking about periods; the supportive culture has provided me with an important safe space to break down my own internalised menstrual stigma."

Sophie - Advocacy Trustee

"I'm working with Irise to fight the stigma and taboo around periods because if people were more open to talking about periods when I was at school I wouldn't have been so worried! ”

Lizzie - Agent of Change

"I did not want to be with my friends, I would sit alone, but since Irise came and taught us, I feel free, I be with my friends”

Lukia - Ugandan Schoolgirl

"After learning and understanding menstruation with Irise, all I wanted to do was to let people know that it is something to be proud of not to be ashamed."

Sam - Ugandan advocate

"Using Irise International’s menstrual education material, we were able to speak with the community about menstruation. I was so happy to share this with them and to empower them to escape the fear and worry that used to come with every period.”

Joannie - Irise Trustee