Dignifying Periods - Empowering Young Women

This project addresses the problem of discrimination against women related explicitly to menstrual period health, menstrual hygiene management, and gender equality. The specific problem it aims to solve is the lack of access to proper information, resources, and social acceptance surrounding menstrual health, which affects millions of girls and women worldwide. 

The Scale of the Problem Globally:

1. Taboos and Stigmas: Menstruation-related taboos and stigmas persist in many cultures, leading to feelings of shame and exclusion. This can result in girls and women missing school, work, or social activities during their periods. A study by Plan International found that nearly 50% of girls in Iran believed menstruation was dirty.
2. Limited Knowledge and understanding: Many girls and women lack comprehensive knowledge about menstruation, menstrual hygiene, and its importance for their health. A study in Sub-Saharan Africa reported that 27% of girls had no prior knowledge of menstruation before their first period.
3. Health Implications: Poor menstrual hygiene management can lead to infections and health issues. Lack of awareness and resources can exacerbate these problems. In India, for example, 70% of all reproductive diseases are caused by poor menstrual hygiene.
4. Gender Inequality: Period poverty and taboos contribute to gender inequality. Girls who miss school due to inadequate menstrual hygiene management are disadvantaged in their education, potentially perpetuating the cycle of poverty. In some cases, girls may even drop out of school altogether. Young women may also face exclusion from the workforce due to the implications of menstrual health.

 Factors Contributing to the Problem:

• Cultural Norms and Taboos: Deeply rooted cultural norms and taboos around menstruation prevent open discussions and perpetuate shame and silence.
• Lack of Education: The lack of comprehensive education on menstrual health, hygiene, and biological aspects contributes to the problem.
• Inadequate Access to Resources: Many girls and women lack access to affordable and safe menstrual hygiene products, leading to unhygienic practices.
• Social and Economic Factors: Socio-economic factors such as poverty can exacerbate the problem as girls and women struggle to afford essential menstrual hygiene products.
• Limited Advocacy and Awareness: A lack of advocacy and awareness campaigns further perpetuates the problem and hinders efforts to combat it.

The problem of inadequate menstrual health knowledge and hygiene is not limited to one region or country; it is a global concern that affects millions of people. The Dignify Periods project recognizes the scale of this issue and takes a comprehensive approach to address it, making it relevant both locally and globally. 

The project focuses on empowering young women with knowledge and skills related to menstrual health through Scouting's educational methods. It aims to break the silence surrounding menstruation, provide access to resources, and challenge cultural norms and taboos through awareness and community engagement. Educating and empowering young women in a social setting where they are already comfortable and confident is contributing to a solution that can have a cascading effect, breaking the cycle of misinformation, shame, and gender inequality in many communities. Creating a network of young leaders advocating for menstrual rights further ensures the sustainability and scalability of the solution.

1. Action KIT: The core of our solution involves the development of capacities and transformative behaviours in young women through Scouting activities such as peer-to-peer discussion, community involvement, advocacy exercises, and more. These activities, presented as an action kit, cover various topics, including menstrual biology, hygiene, management techniques, and cultural taboos. Through these, they will thoroughly understand their bodies, menstruation, and the importance of maintaining proper menstrual hygiene.

2. Awareness Building: The project strives to increase awareness about period health among the young women participating in the challenge and within their wider communities. By educating and empowering young women, they become advocates for change, spreading knowledge and awareness about menstrual health to their friends, families, and communities. Together, they can build broader connections among young people (women and men) and adults of different ages. 

3. Community Engagement: Our educational programming encourages participants to work with the broader community to adopt positive period health practices. This involves challenging cultural norms and taboos that often contribute to feelings of shame and exclusion. Through community service projects and awareness campaigns, we aim to transform behaviours and foster a more accepting environment for menstrual health.

4. Inspiring advocacy: This project will equip young leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to become agents of change in their communities. They will help break down barriers, change attitudes, and ensure that menstrual health is respected as a fundamental human right.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation: The project also includes a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and measure the project's overall impact. This data allows us to refine our approach, assess the effectiveness of the challenge, and make necessary adjustments.

We will deliver these activities through the existing Scouting educational methodology, where young people, with the support of adults, meet weekly to do educational activities about issues they care about. Scout groups are safe spaces where young people can explore sensitive topics and support each other. This process will be supported digitally by the sdgs.scout.org online platform, where participating Scouts will log their community service projects related to this content. Adult leaders conduct educational activities using materials and group discussions to impart knowledge about menstrual health. These activities encourage behaviour change by challenging taboos and promoting a more inclusive and accepting environment. 

The target population of the challenge includes young women and girls between the ages of 7 and 18; they will come from diverse backgrounds and will target primarily African countries in the pilot phase. Women and girls share everyday experiences of menstrual health challenges, societal stigmas, and limited access to menstrual hygiene resources. They are students, community members, sisters, daughters, and potential leaders within their communities.

Many young women and girls in Africa lack access to comprehensive education about menstrual health. As a result, they often navigate this natural process with limited information, leading to misunderstandings, myths, and potentially unhygienic practices. Cultural taboos and stigmas surrounding menstruation also remain pervasive in several African societies. These taboos can lead to feelings of shame, exclusion, and the perpetuation of a culture of silence around menstrual health. We also recognize that access to affordable and safe menstrual hygiene products is challenging for many. Some young women resort to unhygienic practices or miss school during their periods due to a lack of access.

How the Solution Addresses Their Needs: 

1.     Comprehensive Menstrual Education: The project provides young women and girls with comprehensive education about menstrual health. Through an action kit, they gain a deeper understanding of the biological aspects of menstruation, menstrual hygiene, and the importance of maintaining good menstrual practices. This knowledge equips them to make informed decisions about their health. 

2.     Breaking Taboos and Stigmas: The project actively challenges cultural taboos and stigmas surrounding menstruation. By providing a safe and open space for discussions, it helps young women and girls realize that menstruation is a natural, healthy process, and there's no reason to feel ashamed. This shift in mindset profoundly impacts their self-esteem and mental well-being.

The project is designed to bring meaningful and positive changes in the lives of young women and girls by educating them about menstrual health and breaking taboos. This newfound knowledge instils confidence and self-esteem. Addressing menstrual health challenges can have a direct impact on education. Young women and girls no longer miss school due to menstruation-related issues, so their educational opportunities are preserved, potentially opening doors to better futures.

As well equipped with the knowledge and understanding of good menstrual hygiene practices, young women and girls can maintain better health during their menstrual cycles, reducing the risk of infections and health issues. Also, creating a network of young leaders advocating for menstrual rights empowers these individuals to become leaders in their communities. They champion a culture of respect, inclusion, and openness regarding menstrual health, fostering positive change.

Our team comprises individuals from diverse regions, including Africa. This diversity ensures that we have a broad understanding of various cultures, traditions, and the unique challenges different communities face. By empowering women as team members from across the globe, including underdeveloped countries and members from more conservative cultures and regions, we bring a wide range of perspectives to the project.

As the Team Lead, being from Guatemala, an underdeveloped and conservative society, I understand the challenges communities and young women face with limited access to resources and information about sexual and reproductive health. This firsthand experience helps me to extrapolate valuable insights into the needs and aspirations of underserved communities in Africa and other regions.

Our approach to community engagement is central to our project's success. Young women participating as beneficiaries come from closely knit communities and are already engaged with their community in other efforts. We actively involve the communities we serve throughout the project development process. This includes:

1. Local Partnerships: We work closely with local Scout organizations in Africa. These organizations have deep roots in their communities and are essential in understanding the specific needs of young women and girls and offering a co-educative environment. They provide us with on-the-ground insights and help us navigate cultural nuances.

2. Participatory Design: We ensure that our solutions are designed with the direct input of the communities we serve. Young women and girls are actively engaged in planning and decision-making, allowing them to shape the project according to their needs and aspirations. While also engaging young men as potential ambassadors, we leverage the power of co-education on an issue traditionally perceived as relevant to women only.

3. Feedback Mechanisms: We establish feedback mechanisms to gather insights from the communities continuously. Regular feedback and dialogue with the target population help us adapt and refine the project to suit their evolving needs better.

Our team's approach is centred around the communities we serve. We understand that the solutions we design must align with the target populations' specific cultural, social, and economic contexts. Our close connections with local communities allow us to implement projects that are not only relevant but also effective in creating meaningful change.

WOSM, a global organization with active Scout groups in over 173 countries, has a significant reach. We have access to African countries through a well-established structure through our Africa Scout Region, which ensures that the project can benefit from the expertise, insights, and experiences of local Scout groups in Africa. Scouting has existed for over a century, meaning our methods are tried and tested and have verifiable impact. We reach over 57 million people, many in communities that traditional development actors cannot get. In addition, our methodologies are primarily youth-led and grassroots-focused so that the primary beneficiaries are in control of how this content is delivered to be sensitive to local cultural values.

Additionally, everything we develop from the global or regional level is designed with volunteers from Scouting and representatives from our National Organizations to ensure it encompasses their needs from the outset. For example, we are aware of menstrual health-related community service projects and awareness campaigns led by Scouts in different countries, so we engage them in developing the educational material by learning from their experiences and offering them the opportunity to show parts of the development process. 

The "Dignify Periods" project is not just a concept; it is a concrete prototype of a solution with roots in the proven methodology of Scouts for SDGs. The Scouts for SDGs initiative, launched in 2018, has successfully mobilized millions of young people worldwide to take direct action in their communities, focusing on addressing global challenges and making a positive impact. This initiative has three core pillars: Inspire, Enable, and Deliver, each proven effective.

What Makes "Dignify Periods" a Prototype:

1. Practical Implementation: "Dignify Periods" is not a mere idea but a practical application of the well-established Scouts for SDGs methodology. Scouts for SDGs, focusing on inspiring, enabling, and delivering change, has already demonstrated its effectiveness in mobilizing young people and empowering them to create positive change.

2. Proven Impact: The Scouts for SDGs initiative has left a significant mark, reaching millions of young people and motivating them to tackle global issues. Through Inspire, it has successfully raised awareness and trained young people in taking action, while Enable has empowered NSOs and improved their capacity to bring about change. Deliver has facilitated millions of actions contributing to the SDGs, proving that this methodology results in tangible and measurable impacts.

3. Worldwide Reach: Scouts for SDGs are not confined to a particular region; it's a global initiative with worldwide implementation. It has integrated the SDGs into the youth programs of 164 NSOs and supported 73 NSOs with funded projects. Its reach extends to over 112 million participants in non-funded SDG-related actions.

4. Value for Money: The initiative demonstrates value for money, with a low average cost per beneficiary reached by funded projects, indicating efficient resource utilization. Furthermore, for every dollar spent on regional and national projects, an average of 0.3 service hours were carried out by Scouts.

5. Scalable and replication potential: Our prototypes are tested with a smaller scale population in targeted countries at the grassroots level. This allows us to integrate unique insights on how these can be scaled up and replicated in other countries from similar cultural regions. The lead team can also capture the lessons and best practices to replicate the models in other countries.

6. Commitment to Continuous Improvement: As suggested in the evaluation report, the commitment to improving project processes and efficiency indicates a willingness to enhance the impact further.

"Dignify Periods" is not an abstract idea; it's a practical application of the successful Scouts for SDGs methodology tailored to address menstrual health and hygiene issues. By leveraging the existing infrastructure, expertise, and experience of Scouts for SDGs, "Dignify Periods" is building on a robust foundation to make a meaningful and lasting impact in addressing period-related challenges. This makes it a solid prototype grounded in a proven approach to creating change in communities worldwide. For more information on this methodology, visit the "Scouts for SDGs final Evaluation" here. 

1. Comprehensive Educational Curriculum: The project offers a comprehensive educational curriculum that covers various aspects of menstrual health, including biology, hygiene, management techniques, and cultural taboos. While many initiatives focus solely on providing sanitary products, "Dignify Periods" goes a step further by combining education with community service projects. This holistic approach empowers young women with knowledge, equipping them to make informed decisions about their menstrual health and hygiene.

2. Community Engagement and Empowerment: The project actively engages communities, encouraging local leaders and young women to become advocates for menstrual rights. By building a network of young people leaders, "Dignify Periods" catalyzes broader positive impacts by inspiring a new generation of advocates. This approach can lead to a cultural shift in the way menstruation is perceived and managed, not only in the target communities but potentially in others as well.

3. Scouting as a Vehicle for Change: Leveraging the global presence and network of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), the project taps into the extensive reach and impact of the Scouting movement. This approach combines traditional scouting values with a modern focus on gender equality and menstrual health, creating a unique synergy that can influence the market by setting new standards for youth-led, community-based initiatives.

4. Tech-Enabled Outreach: The project harnesses technology, particularly online platforms and digital resources, to make educational materials accessible to a wider audience. This tech-enabled outreach ensures that the project is not limited by geographical constraints and can reach young women in remote or underserved areas, thereby changing the market by providing a scalable and accessible solution. Utilizing our Web 3.0 project, we'll issue ScoutBadges as verifiable credentials stored in our digital wallet, ScoutPass. This blockchain-backed system not only adds a layer of trust and transparency but also incentivizes participation by offering tangible, digital rewards that can be showcased or exchanged within our global Scouting network.

5. Inclusivity and Intersectionality: "Dignify Periods" acknowledges that menstrual health is not a one-size-fits-all issue. The project recognizes the intersectionality of challenges faced by young women, including those related to socioeconomic status, education, and cultural factors. By addressing the unique needs of diverse communities, the project fosters inclusivity and can catalyze broader positive impacts by promoting tailored solutions for various contexts.

Next Year:

1. Increased Awareness: By the end of the next year, we aim to have distributed comprehensive action kits on menstrual health to at least 10,000 young people in target communities, raising awareness about menstrual hygiene and its importance. This will contribute to achieving UN SDG 3.7, which targets universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services

2. Community Adoption: Our goal is for at least 5 of the target communities to actively adopt positive period health practices with the assistance of our action kits. This includes improved menstrual hygiene management, reduction of cultural taboos, and a more open and supportive environment for young women during their menstruation. This aligns with UN SDG 5.1, which seeks to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls.

3. Network of Advocates: We aim to establish a network of 20 young leaders in 10 countries actively advocating for menstrual rights in their communities, utilizing the information and activities provided in the action kits. They will engage in campaigns, awareness activities, and community projects. This contributes to UN SDG 5.5, which calls for women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making.

Next Five Years:

1. Global Expansion: we plan to expand our project's reach to at least 15 countries, with a focus on underserved regions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Our goal is to reach and educate over 50,000 young people, contributing to UN SDG 4.1, which aims to ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.

2. Local solutions led by young people:  we plan to have 10 community projects in at least 20 countries. 

3. Cultural Transformation: We aim to catalyze a cultural transformation in communities where our project is active, breaking menstrual taboos, reducing stigmas, and creating environments where young women can manage their menstruation with dignity and without shame. This aligns with UN SDG 5.1, which targets the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and girls.

4. Scouting Influence: our goal is to influence at least 20 national Scout organizations to adopt and integrate menstrual health education into their programs, reaching thousands of young people globally. This will contribute to UN SDG 17.16, which encourages the enhancement of the global partnership for sustainable development.

To achieve our next-year impact goals, we will:

• Conduct educational workshops in collaboration with 5 Regional offices and partners.
• Develop and distribute educational materials, including digital resources for broader accessibility.
• Engage young women in leadership roles to actively advocate for menstrual rights.
• Implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress and adjust our approach as needed.

For our next-five-year impact goals:

• We will focus on expanding our project's reach to new countries and regions through partnerships with local Scout organizations and community stakeholders.
• We will work on fostering community transformation by collaborating with leaders, influencers, and young women advocates to create safe environments
• We will actively engage with national Scout organizations to promote the integration of menstrual health education within their programs.

The theory of change for the "Dignify Periods" project is straightforward and effective:

Explore, Expand, Encourage and Engage

Activities:

1. Development of Comprehensive Action Kits: We create action kits with information and activities that empower young women with knowledge and skills related to menstrual health, hygiene, and cultural taboos. These action kits are designed to be user-friendly and accessible.

2. Distribution to Target Communities: The action kits are distributed to target communities through local Scout organizations, partners, and community stakeholders, ensuring they reach young women who may lack access to comprehensive menstrual health education.

3. Leadership Development: Within these communities, we actively engage young women, encouraging them to take on leadership roles and become advocates for menstrual rights. This leadership development empowers them to drive change in their local context.

Immediate Outputs:

1. Increased Awareness and Education: Young women receive comprehensive menstrual health education, equipping them with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their health.

2. Community Engagement: Action kits foster community discussions and engagements, which will have a butterfly effect and improve awareness and understanding of menstrual health challenges, ultimately breaking down taboos and stigmas.

3. Dignified Period Advocates: Young leaders who actively engage with the action kits develop into advocates for menstrual rights, initiating campaigns, awareness activities, and community projects.

Longer-Term Outcomes:

1. Improved Menstrual Health: Through education and action, young women and their communities adopt improved menstrual hygiene practices, reducing health risks and improving overall well-being.

2. Gender Equality and Inclusivity: By addressing menstrual health challenges, we aim to contribute to broader goals of gender equality, breaking down discriminatory practices and fostering inclusivity within communities.

3. Community Transformation: With the engagement of young women advocates and the wider community, we expect to see a cultural transformation in which menstrual taboos are reduced, and open discussions about menstrual health become the norm.

Impact of the solution on addressing the Problem:

The project's impact on the problem is clear. Providing comprehensive menstrual health education through action kits empowers young women with knowledge and skills to manage their menstrual health. As these young women take on leadership roles, they drive change in their communities, breaking taboos, reducing stigmas, and fostering a supportive environment for menstrual health. Over time, this results in improved menstrual health practices and contributes to broader goals of gender equality and inclusivity.

This theory of change is supported by evidence from similar initiatives and research demonstrating the effectiveness of comprehensive menstrual health education in bringing about positive change. We believe that empowering young women with the right tools and knowledge can create a lasting impact on menstrual health and gender equality in our target communities.

- 1 full-time staff: Consultant on Health and well-being.

- 1 oversight staff: Director of Educational Initiatives

- 1 Regional staff: as liaison with the targeted counties 

- 4 volunteers from the targeted countries were selected as focal points. 

Since 2018, WOSM defined the Scouts for SDGs mobilization and initiatives, 2020, the 4 thematic areas of education, including Health and Wellbeing. 

In 2022, the development of the Health and Wellbeing initiative started, including the Sexual and Reproductive Health Learning path. 

Our approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work is multi-faceted:

Diverse Leadership Team: Our team comprises individuals from various regions and backgrounds. We have women leaders worldwide, including El Salvador, Malaysia, Portugal, the UK, and Guatemala. This diversity ensures a range of perspectives, experiences, and expertise that enriches our project's approach.

Inclusive Participation: We actively engage with national Scout organizations and community stakeholders, promoting inclusivity and participation from various backgrounds. We aim to create environments where all members are welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.

Gender Equity: The project's primary focus is addressing menstrual health challenges faced by young women and girls, striving to eliminate gender disparities and provide equal opportunities for leadership and education. We aim to foster environments where gender-based discrimination is challenged and overcome.

Socioeconomic Inclusivity: We recognize that socioeconomic factors can exacerbate menstrual health and hygiene issues. Therefore, we actively work to include young women from diverse economic backgrounds in our target communities.

Cultural Sensitivity: We approach our work culturally, recognizing that menstrual taboos and practices vary among different cultures. Our action kits and educational materials are designed to be adaptable to local contexts, respecting cultural norms while promoting safe and healthy practices.

Capacity Building: As part of our commitment to equity, we provide opportunities for capacity building within our team and the communities we serve. We aim to address barriers to full participation and leadership by offering leadership development, training, and mentorship.

Equal Access to Education: Education is a fundamental component of our project. We actively work to ensure equal access to comprehensive menstrual health education for all young women in our target communities, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Feedback and Continuous Improvement: We welcome feedback from all team members, partners, and community stakeholders to improve our project's inclusivity continuously. We are committed to addressing unique and systemic barriers that may prevent the full participation of marginalized groups.

WOSM's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Diversity and inclusion is one of the strategic priorities of WOSM.

Our approach to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is deeply embedded in the core of the "Dignify Periods" project. We recognize that addressing menstrual health challenges and promoting gender equality requires a diverse and inclusive approach that respects all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. 

Our organization develops a full package of content and trainings that is ready for our National Scout Organizations to pick up off the shelf and implement at the national level. Additionally, we secure funding to disburse in grants to the participating countries so that they can get the initiative off the ground and undertake initial leader trainings. Once the initiative is well-rooted at the national level through these grants, the initiative is self-sustaining and Scouts will look for local funding if needed. 

The initial phase of implementation is externally funded through external grants and donors. After the first few years of implementation and because of the volunteer-led nature of our movement, the initiative tends to be self-sustaining through existing scout groups and their ongoing activities. 

National Scout Organizations continue the effort of leveraging with local organizations, civil society, and governments and NGOs.