Production of Sanitary Towels Locally at the Women and Girls Friendly Space in Bentiu

In Bentiu, Danish Refugee Council with funds from USAID has been working to create sustainable livelihoods for displaced women, especially those affected by floods and conflict in the different counties. The state, home to thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs), has seen ongoing crises that have disrupted not only daily life but also access to essential products such as sanitary pads.

In response to this critical need, DRC launched an initiative to locally produce sanitary towels at the Women and Girls Friendly Space (WGFS) in Bentiu, helping women and girls regain control over their health and hygiene while creating new economic opportunities.

The initiative was designed to address two urgent challenges: the lack of affordable menstrual hygiene products for women in the IDP camps and the need to create income-generating activities for the women living there.

In many parts of South Sudan, the cost of sanitary products remains prohibitively high, leading to poor menstrual hygiene management and its related health risks.

For displaced women, who are often dependent on humanitarian aid for basic necessities, this problem is even more pronounced.

Recognizing the importance of menstrual health in women’s overall well-being, DRC sought to provide a solution that would not only meet this need but also empower women economically. 

One of the core components of this initiative was the creation of a local production system for sanitary pads.

To ensure the sustainability of the project, DRC employed a ‘train-the-trainer’ approach, selecting 60 women from the community to become Trainers of Trainers (ToTs).

These women were carefully chosen based on their interest in learning new skills and their commitment to helping others within their community. 

Over the course of several weeks, the selected ToTs underwent intensive training on how to produce high-quality, reusable sanitary pads.

They learned everything from sourcing affordable materials to sewing techniques, packaging, and product distribution.

The goal was not only to equip them with the skills needed to produce sanitary towels but also to empower them to pass on their knowledge to others, ensuring the broader community would benefit from the initiative. 

Upon completion of their training, these 60 women were given the tools and materials needed to start their production activities.

They began working in the Women and Girls Friendly Center, a safe and supportive space where they could produce sanitary pads in a collaborative environment.

For many of these women, this was their first opportunity to engage in income-generating activities, and the sense of purpose and pride that came with the work was palpable. 

For the women involved, producing sanitary pads has provided more than just a means of meeting a basic need; it has opened the door to economic independence.

By selling the sanitary towels both within the camps and in the surrounding communities, the women have been able to generate a small but steady income, which has allowed them to contribute to their families’ well-being.

This newfound financial autonomy has been especially significant for women who were previously dependent on aid or had limited means of supporting themselves. 

The local production of sanitary towels has also fostered a sense of solidarity and collaboration among the women involved.

Working together in the Women and Girls Friendly Center, they have built strong social networks, exchanging ideas, supporting each other, and developing their business skills.