More Than 250 Girls Gather for Menstrual Hygiene Day in Addis Ababa

Her Path, Her Power
1 day ago
3 min read

Youth Leadership. Trusted Education. Community Impact.

What began as a planned gathering for 200 girls quickly grew into something larger.

More than 250 girls and community members joined Studio Samuel Girls Academy in Addis Ababa to celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, creating a safe space for learning, leadership, and open conversation around menstrual health.

Each Studio Samuel student was encouraged to invite a friend. Those friends invited others. By the end of the day, trusted menstrual health information had reached far beyond our student body and into schools, families, and communities throughout Addis Ababa.

Girls Leading Girls

Leading up to Menstrual Hygiene Day, Studio Samuel named 12 new Menstrual Education Youth Ambassadors—students recognized for their leadership and commitment to helping other girls access accurate menstrual health information.

Throughout the event, these young leaders worked alongside Studio Samuel's Health Officer and Program Manager to guide participants through five interactive learning stations:

Menstrual Myths vs. Facts
Hygiene Tips
How to Track Your Cycle
Yewer Abeba App Download Station
Confidential Questions Box

Community leaders from the Bureau of Education and the Bureau of Women’s and Children’s Affairs joined the celebration and presented certificates recognizing each ambassador's commitment to peer education.

For many girls, the recognition carried a powerful message: their voices matter, and their leadership matters.

"Lack of menstrual awareness can cause emotional pain and stigma for girls. I encourage every guest here to share what you've learned today with others." - Mr. Yilema Teshome of the Bureau of Education

Closing a Critical Gap in Girls' Education

A major focus of the day was introducing girls to Yewer Abeba—Amharic for Monthly Flower—Studio Samuel's menstrual education platform.

We view Yewer Abeba as education infrastructure for girls, not simply an app.

In communities where menstrual education is inconsistent, inaccessible, or surrounded by stigma, girls often struggle to find trustworthy information. Designed by girls, for girls, Yewer Abeba helps close that gap by providing trusted, culturally relevant menstrual health education that is:

Free
Available offline after download
Private, with no personal data collection
Accessible in local languages

By expanding access to trusted information, Yewer Abeba helps girls make informed decisions about their health, education, and future.

Why Every Girl Received Two Menstrual Kits

At the conclusion of the event, every participant received two reusable menstrual kits.

One kit was for herself.

The second was for another woman or girl in her household.

This decision came directly from what we learned during previous distributions. When girls returned home with a single kit, many shared that it was often needed by a mother, aunt, or older sister who also lacked access to menstrual supplies.

For women living in poverty, the consequences can extend beyond discomfort. Missing work during menstruation due to inadequate supplies can result in lost income and, in some cases, loss of employment.

We listened to what families were telling us—and adapted accordingly.

One of the most meaningful moments of the day came during the closing session.

Throughout the event, girls anonymously submitted questions about periods, pain, hygiene, irregular cycles, and body changes. The confidential question box quickly overflowed.

Many of these questions reflected topics girls had never previously felt comfortable discussing openly.

To close the day, Studio Samuel's Health Officer, Meron Alemayehou, answered each question with honesty, respect, and without judgment.

The session served as a reminder that menstrual education is about far more than products. It is about knowledge, confidence, health, dignity, and ensuring girls remain in school.

"I realized I'm not the only girl with questions. Also, now I can help my younger sister." - 9th grade guest

Carrying the Conversation Forward

The impact of Menstrual Hygiene Day does not end when the event concludes.

Our 12 Menstrual Education Youth Ambassadors are now carrying trusted information back to their schools, families, and communities—continuing conversations that help break stigma and increase understanding.

Education spreads through conversation. Sometimes one shared story, one trusted resource, or one honest discussion can change how a girl experiences her future.

And that is exactly where lasting change begins.