Weaving Menstrual Equity

PROBLEM

In Guatemala, someone is experiencing menstruation for the first time in various environments, whether at home, school, university, work, in prison, in rural areas, and everywhere, but they do so in silence. Women make up 51.3% of the Guatemalan population, which means that over half of the population will experience menstruation at some point in their lives somewhere in Guatemala.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced girls and women to stay at home to contain the virus's spread. This not only limited access to education and employment but also to quality education. Before the pandemic, speaking openly about menstruation was already challenging, and online classes exacerbated this difficulty. This was not only due to a lack of access to the internet and basic services like electricity but also because classes were held at home, which limited the freedom to discuss menstruation-related topics.

In Guatemala, schools are often in precarious conditions, with students having to travel long distances to reach them and lacking access to proper nutrition. At times, they face issues with the lack of electricity or water, and teachers are not trained to address Comprehensive Sexuality Education topics. This not only hinders students' learning but, in the context of the pandemic, online classes and workbooks worsen the situation. Imagine girls who lack access to electricity, the internet, or a suitable study space. In these conditions, girls are forced to experience menstruation in silence and with significant limitations.

The National Base Curriculum (CNB) of the Guatemalan Ministry of Education includes some approaches to sex education in the Natural Sciences and Technology area. However, in primary education, this is limited to identifying body parts, organ functions, and personal hygiene. In the early grades, the content primarily focuses on human reproduction, leaving girls without access to essential information. Most women experience menarche between the last grades of primary school and the first years of secondary school, between the ages of 12 and 15. However, relevant information about the menstrual cycle is only provided in the eighth grade, a critical stage for guiding young girls.

Despite the variety of disposable sanitary pads in terms of colors, sizes, scents, textures, and designs, this only serves to visually normalize menstruation. However, the social, psychological, and economic impact this entails is significant. Women need to spend between $3.8 and $10.2 monthly on managing their menstruation, which often limits them to the exclusive use of disposable sanitary pads.

In even more unfavorable situations, women are forced to care for their children and make difficult decisions about how to ensure food for their families. In many cases, the majority of Guatemalan women earn less than $1 per day, forcing them to choose between buying sanitary pads or basic foods like beans for their families. This difficult decision condemns women to face significant challenges in managing their menstruation.

SOLUTION

In response to the challenges women face in Guatemala related to their menstrual health, we propose a comprehensive approach that aims to empower participants in human rights, sexual and reproductive rights, menstrual health, and comprehensive sexuality education. Our initiative aims to improve access to essential information so that women can make informed decisions and lead healthier lives.

To achieve this, we have designed a comprehensive program that includes a variety of key components:
1. Emotional Health
2. Physical Health
3. Empowerment
4. Mental Health

Firstly, we will organize communication activities, workshops, and informative talks to address issues related to menstruation, sexual and reproductive health, as well as human rights. We want to ensure that participants have access to accurate and reliable information that enables them to make informed decisions about their health.

Recognizing the importance of emotional health in this context, we will also offer group and individual psychological therapy. We aim to provide emotional tools to participants to address challenges that may arise in relation to their menstrual health and their emotional well-being in general.

Furthermore, our program ensures access to free medical consultations to ensure the physical well-being of participants. This means they will be able to receive quality medical care without worrying about associated costs.

In the field of menstrual management, our proposal is innovative and sustainable. We will offer a sewing course in which participants will learn to make their own cloth sanitary pads. This is not only an economical and ecological solution but also eliminates exposure to materials harmful to vaginal health often found in commercial products.

One of the most important aspects of our approach is the promotion of empowerment and decentralization of information. We want participants not only to benefit from this program but also to become agents of change in their communities. We will encourage them to share the knowledge they gain with their friends, daughters, neighbors, and other community members. We believe in the power of peer education and hope that this knowledge will spread with a snowball effect, creating a lasting and positive impact on menstrual education in Guatemala.

With this, we also hope to break down education barriers by not solely relying on schools to inform participants about these topics, and that, when transferring knowledge, they can do so responsibly, safely, and confidently anywhere.

La Casa association serves a diverse population rich in experiences, mainly composed of young mothers and teenage mothers. These women often face significant obstacles in their lives, including a lack of economic resources and precarious housing. Many of them are in the context of large families, adding complexity to their situation as they must balance the responsibilities of motherhood with caring for multiple family members.

In addition to socio-economic difficulties, many of the participants have had to drop out of formal education due to various circumstances. This dropout can limit their long-term employment and personal development opportunities. La Casa Association is dedicated to providing educational programs and training to empower these women and help them overcome these educational barriers.

A crucial aspect to consider is that many of the women served have experienced violence in various forms (physical, emotional, or sexual), leaving deep physical and emotional scars. Our organization is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for these women to heal and move towards a life free from violence.

La Casa Association strives to go beyond mere assistance and becomes embedded in the social fabric of the community it serves. We firmly believe that women's empowerment should not be a one-time act but an ongoing process that supports their comprehensive development with the necessary guidance to break the cycles of inequality and vulnerability.

At a basic level, we address the lack of access to healthcare and family planning by offering reproductive health services and informative workshops regularly. These programs are implemented with the intention of establishing a trusting relationship with women, providing them with a safe space where they can openly and freely discuss their health-related needs and concerns.

We also focus on menstrual education, providing regular workshops so that women can understand and care for their menstrual health in a hygienic and safe manner. Beyond this, we provide basic menstrual supplies to ensure that all women have access to suitable products.

La Casa Association is not just a physical place but a comprehensive approach that addresses the social, health, education, and safety needs of the population we serve. This ongoing and social approach ensures that the women and girls we serve have continuous support and the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe and understanding environment.

What sets Asociación La Casa apart as the best choice for providing social solutions to the women and girls we serve is our deep connection to the community. Our methodology is based on working from within the community and, even more importantly, with the community. The proximity and trust we have cultivated over the years are what make our work impactful and effective.

Our organization is not unfamiliar with the realities of the community we serve. Many of us were born and have lived in this same area, giving us a unique understanding of the living conditions of the participants. We speak the same language, frequent the same places, and walk the same streets. This creates a horizontal story that allows us to understand the reality of their lives from within.

This deep knowledge of the community enables us to address challenges from a more personal and comprehensive perspective. We not only understand their context but also involve all the parts that are part of their lives, including school, family, friends, and other important factors. This holistic and multidimensional approach allows us to develop effective strategies to address social barriers and empower women sustainably.

One of the keys to our success lies in our ability to integrate into the lives of the participants and their families. We offer support that extends beyond the merely institutional. By building relationships of trust and respect, we become an integral part of their lives, allowing us to understand their challenges and aspirations more deeply.

Furthermore, we recognize the influence that family and other social actors can exert on the lives of the women we serve. Therefore, we also work closely with family members, who often play a significant role in decentralizing behaviors that can negatively affect the participants. By addressing these aspects together, we create a supportive environment that encompasses all aspects of their lives and strives to eliminate the barriers hindering their development.

Since 2021 to 2023, we have served:

Direct participants: +150
Beneficiaries: +9,000

We have conducted various workshops in which the following individuals have directly participated:
- 20 participants in makeup courses
- 35 participants in jewelry-making courses
- 25 participants in embroidery courses
- 13 participants in baking courses
- 25 participants in medicinal garden cultivation
- 25 participants in the book club
- and others

On a medical level, the following participants have received direct support:
- 36 people vaccinated against COVID (1st and 2nd doses)
- 7 participants in individual psychological therapy
- 6 participants in gynecological check-ups
- 45 people in height and weight assessments
- +100 people in height and weight assessment campaigns
- and others

The solution we propose is within women's reach, as it is based on a practice that many of them have silently carried out for a long time: using their clothing to manage their menstruation. What used to be a frequently misunderstood necessity is now an opportunity to empower women by providing them with the appropriate information and tools to care for their menstrual health.

Throughout history, women have dealt with menstruation discreetly and often without access to the necessary information to make informed decisions about how to manage it. Our solution not only enables them to effectively address this challenge but also promotes empowerment and self-awareness. By giving participants the ability to make informed decisions about their menstrual health, we give them control over their well-being.

One of the significant advantages of our solution is its sustainability. By teaching participants to make reusable sanitary pads and select the right materials, we provide them with a valuable skill that will allow them to manage their menstruation economically over time. This, in turn, reduces their expenses on commercial menstrual products.

The central innovation of our project lies in the design of a universal prototype for making cloth sanitary pads. This approach eliminates the risks associated with empirical experimentation with different materials, ensuring that women have access to a proven and reliable solution for their menstruation. Our goal is to empower women to take control of their menstrual health and reduce the economic barriers often associated with menstrual management.

Education and Awareness: We provide information and resources that enable women to understand their menstrual cycle and how it affects their bodies. This gives them the ability to make informed decisions about how to manage their menstruation in a way that best suits their needs and preferences.

Breaking the Taboo: By openly discussing menstruation and offering a sustainable solution, we are contributing to breaking the taboo surrounding this topic. This helps reduce the shame and stigma associated with menstruation, empowering women to feel more comfortable and confident.

Expense Reduction: By teaching participants to make reusable cloth sanitary pads and select the right materials, we provide them with a valuable skill that allows them to reduce their expenses on commercial menstrual products over time. This is especially important in regions where access to affordable menstrual products is limited.

Economic Independence: By reducing the financial burden associated with menstruation, women can use their resources for other essential needs, such as education, food, and healthcare. This contributes to their economic independence and overall well-being.

Risk Elimination: Our solution eliminates potential risks associated with empirical experimentation with different materials for menstrual management. By providing a universal prototype for cloth sanitary pads, we ensure that women have access to a proven and reliable solution, reducing health risks.

Prevention of Health Issues: Cloth sanitary pads are a safer option compared to other methods, such as using rags or inadequate materials. By promoting their proper use, we help prevent menstrual-related health issues, such as infections.

Phase 1: Empowerment, Training, and Therapy

During the first year, our pilot plan will focus on empowering an initial group of 25 women. In this stage, participants will receive comprehensive support that addresses various aspects of their lives. Here are the key components:

Sexual and Reproductive Education: Participants will receive comprehensive education about their sexual and reproductive health. This will enable them to make informed decisions about their menstruation and overall well-being.

Psychological Therapy: Through psychological therapy sessions, we will assess and support the change in how women perceive themselves and understand their relationship with menstruation. The focus on mental and emotional health is essential for their overall well-being.

Sewing and Embroidery Skills: During this period, participants will acquire sewing and embroidery skills. These skills will allow them to make their own reusable cloth sanitary pads, contributing to economic sustainability and menstrual management.

Fabric Knowledge and Vaginal Health: Participants will receive training on different types of fabrics and their impact on vaginal health. This will enable them to make informed decisions when selecting materials for making their sanitary pads.

Teaching Training: Additionally, participants will be provided with techniques for teaching and preparing a three-month course. This will enable participants to become instructors, providing other women with the opportunity to learn how to make their own cloth pads and acquire basic knowledge about menstrual health.

Phase 2: Knowledge Transfer and Expanded Impact

Once women have experienced positive changes in their health, economy, and menstrual management, we move on to the second phase. In this stage, we expand the impact through knowledge transfer and participants' involvement in program outreach:

Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Empowered participants from the initial phase will be responsible for offering comprehensive sexuality education workshops to girls and other women in the community. This ensures that knowledge is effectively shared and reaches a wider audience.

Teaching Cloth Pad Making: In addition to sexual education, these participants will serve as instructors to teach other women and girls how to make their own cloth pads. This promotes sustainability and economic independence in the community.

Ongoing Support: Although participants in this phase will not receive psychological therapy, they will be invited to attend "La Casa," where they can access additional programs we offer. This ensures they continue to have a support network and control over their overall well-being.

Snowball Effect: Active participation of these women in the community will contribute to the creation of a support network and a broader well-being environment, generating a positive "snowball effect" that impacts more women in the community.

Theory of Change:

If we provide girls, women, and menstruators with access to comprehensive sexual education classes, psychological therapy, and teach them to sew and embroider their own reusable cloth sanitary pads, then we will empower menstruating individuals with knowledge to share with their peers and reduce their economic expenses during their menstrual cycle.

Overall Objective:
- Empower 25 girls, women, and menstruators over the course of a year through comprehensive sexual education classes, attendance of psychological therapy, and learning to sew and embroider their own reusable cloth sanitary pads with reusable materials.

Specific Objectives:

Phase 1: Empowerment, Training, and Therapy

1. Improve the mental and emotional health of participants through psychological therapy and sexual and reproductive education.
2. Train participants in sewing, embroidery skills, and knowledge of safe materials.
3. Empower participants to teach and prepare courses on making cloth sanitary pads and menstrual education.

Phase 2: Knowledge Transfer and Expanded Impact

4. Expand the impact by teaching comprehensive sexual education to girls and women in the community by empowered participants.
5. Promote the economic independence of women and girls in the community by teaching the production of cloth sanitary pads.
6. Create a sustainable well-being environment in the community through additional programs at "La Casa."

Inputs:
- Human Resources: Therapists, health educators, sewing experts, project participants.
- Material Resources: Fabrics, sewing materials, facilities for therapy and medical consultations.

Activities:
- Empower participants in human rights, sexual and reproductive rights, menstrual health, and comprehensive sexual education.
- Prepare communication activities and provide access to relevant information.
- Provide group and individual psychological therapy as needed.
- Facilitate free medical consultations to ensure participants' physical well-being.
- Conduct a sewing course to create reusable cloth sanitary pads and provide information about safe materials.

Expected Short-Term Results:
- Participants gain knowledge about human rights, sexual and reproductive rights, menstrual health, and comprehensive sexual education.
- Participants experience improved emotional health through psychological therapy.
- Participants have access to medical consultations to address their physical health needs.
- Participants acquire sewing skills and knowledge of safe materials.

Expected Medium-Term Results:
- Participants actively share the acquired information with their personal networks, such as friends, daughters, and neighbors.
- Women in the community have better access to information about menstrual health and emotional well-being.
- The community reduces the stigma surrounding menstruation and promotes open conversation on these topics.

Expected Long-Term Results:
- Women in Guatemala experience increased empowerment regarding their rights, health, and well-being.
- The community benefits from a healthier and more educated environment on menstrual health and sexual and reproductive rights.

Impact:
- Women in Guatemala experience increased empowerment regarding their rights, health, and well-being.
- The community benefits from a healthier and more educated environment on menstrual health and sexual and reproductive rights, contributing to the reduction of stigma and open conversation on these topics.
- Guatemalan women experience economic savings by making their own cloth sanitary pads.

- President and Legal Representative: Melissa Miranda, educator, social activist, and photojournalist. (full-time volunteer)

- Vice President: Sofía Letona, director and founder of the Antigua al Rescate Association. (volunteer)

- Secretary: Andrea Godínez, feminist and photojournalist. (volunteer)
- Treasurer: Andrea Recinos, feminist and clinical psychologist. (volunteer)
- Vocal: Natalia Fernández, law student. (volunteer)
- Vocal: Mónica Calderón, feminist, medical doctor, and surgeon. (volunteer)
- Vocal: Julia Márquez, mother of La Casa participants. (volunteer)

We have been actively working since April 2021, at that time La Casa was a project that had a team of workers contracted for one year. Currently, it is a legally registered NGO where we work voluntarily.

We have a team made up of brave and diverse women whom we value and promote diversity in all aspects. In our vision, we understand that not all of us need to do the same thing at the same time or think in the same way. In fact, it's the richness of perspectives and experiences that enriches us. We appreciate that each of us brings a unique voice and personal vision to the project.

However, what we share is the common dream of empowering Guatemalan women and promoting menstrual health and overall well-being. This vision is our guiding light, and each of us works from our own perspective, skills, and passions to contribute to that shared dream. It's not necessary for all of us to do the same thing at the same time or think in the same way. On the contrary, our strength lies in our diversity and our ability to complement each other.

At La Casa, we create a space where every voice is heard and respected, and where diversity of opinions is considered an asset. We appreciate that building a successful and meaningful project is based on collaboration and the ability to embrace different ways of thinking. It's not about uniformity but unity in diversity.

An important feature of our team and La Casa is that once you enter, you are welcome to come back at any time. We are not limited by a continuous presence requirement. This reflects our flexibility and our open-hearted willingness to collaborate and work together. La Casa becomes a place where you can return whenever you want, without the need to be constantly present. This versatility and openness are core values that define us and allow us to build strong relationships on the path to our shared goals.

Business Model: Menstrual Equity Weaving

Project Objective:
Over a period of 1 year, our project aims to empower 25 menstruating girls and women in Guatemala. Our mission is to provide them with comprehensive education on sexuality, human rights, and menstrual health, offer psychological therapy, and teach them to make their own reusable cloth sanitary pads as a sustainable alternative.

Team:
To achieve our goal, we have hired a team of 4 people part-time:

Health Coordinator: Their main role is to manage relationships with the participants and ensure they receive medical attention through medical campaigns and health volunteers. They also coordinate psychological therapy for the participants.

Comprehensive Sexuality Education Educator: Offers activities and courses to the participants, providing relevant information and identifying cases that require personalized attention.

Project Manager: Manages and operates the project, ensuring the well-being of the team and the beneficiaries. They also generate solutions to problems, collect data from the participants, and produce reports.

Seamstress: Provides information about materials and embroidery techniques, designs the prototype of the cloth sanitary pad, and oversees the quality control of the products.

Sources of Financing:

Local Initiatives and Donations: We seek financial support through local donations and agreements with organizations interested in empowering girls and women in Guatemala.

Online Fundraising: We have launched an online fundraising campaign to support the project and ensure its sustainability.

Products and Services:

Comprehensive Sexuality Education: We deliver educational programs that empower participants on human rights, sexual and reproductive rights, and menstrual health.

Psychological Therapy: We offer individual and group psychological therapy to improve the emotional health of the participants.

Cloth Sanitary Pads: We teach participants to make their own cloth sanitary pads, providing information on safe materials and sewing techniques.

Free Medical Consultations:
In addition to education and therapy, we provide free medical consultations to ensure the physical well-being of the participants.

Course Funding Products:
We have created a product that, when purchased, funds the entire cost of the course for a new participant. This way, people can buy this product as a way to contribute to the project and sponsor a new participant.

Course Gratuity:
Currently, our project does not aim to generate income by selling sanitary pads. Instead, we have created management methods for participants to receive the courses for free, eliminating financial barriers and ensuring access to comprehensive education on sexuality and menstrual health.

This business model highlights how we provide value to our key beneficiaries, how we generate funds, and how we create opportunities for people to contribute to the project and sponsor new participants in the future.

1. Establishing a Scholarship Program: Formalize a scholarship program that allows donors to fund the participation costs of a beneficiary for a specific period.

2. Donation Personalization: When donors make a contribution, they can choose to allocate their donation to a specific beneficiary. This can be done by selecting the beneficiary's name or providing a brief description of their story and needs.

3. Communication with Donors: Maintain active communication with donors. Provide regular updates on the progress and well-being of the beneficiary they are supporting.

4. Personal Stories: Provide donors with information about the beneficiary they are helping, including their story, personal challenges, and goals. This will allow donors to emotionally connect with the cause.

5. Impact Report: Show donors how their contribution has made a difference in the life of the beneficiary. Provide detailed reports on the services received and progress made.

6. Scholarship Renewal Opportunities: Offer donors the option to renew their scholarship for the same beneficiary or select a new beneficiary when the current one has achieved their goals and is in a stronger position.

7. Financial Transparency: Maintain high financial transparency to ensure that donations are used effectively and efficiently to cover the costs of beneficiary services.

8. Events and Direct Communication: Organize events where donors can meet beneficiaries in person or through video conferences. This will allow them to have a more direct connection with the people they are helping.

9. Donor Network: Encourage donors to form a support network or community where they can share experiences, ideas, and resources to maximize the impact of their donations.

10. Awareness Campaigns: Carry out regular awareness and fundraising campaigns to attract new donors and expand the base of people who can benefit from the scholarships.

11. Sale of Informational Agendas: Design and produce agendas that include information about La Casa, the project's mission, success stories of participants, and tips related to menstrual health and emotional well-being. Agendas can be sold online through a virtual store or at local events and fairs.

12. Products Created by Participants: In addition to cloth sanitary pads, participants can create other products such as bags, clothing, accessories, home decor, etc. These products can be sold online and in local stores.
Collective Self-Management:

13. Involvement of Beneficiaries: Invite participants to participate in the design and promotion of products and agendas, allowing them to feel more empowered and active in the project's self-management.
Benefit for Donors:

14. Sale for Sustainability: Allocate the proceeds from the sale of agendas and products to fund the ongoing operation of La Casa and the expansion of services.

15. Donation or Solidarity Purchase: Offer donors and supporters the option to purchase these products as a way to support the cause. When they buy a product, they are directly contributing to the empowerment of the beneficiaries.

16. Marketing Campaigns: Promote products and agendas through online marketing campaigns, social media, and local events. Highlight the importance of each purchase in supporting the beneficiaries.