Half the world’s population live as second class citizens.  That’s the female half.  Part of the reason is that girls get less education than do boys. And the reason for that is that when a girl reaches puberty, if she cannot deal with her period, she soon drops out of school.  This should not be. 

The data are overwhelming that when girls get more education, their entire society is better off.  They have fewer sex partners.  They have less unprotected sex.  They delay marriage.  They have fewer children.  Their children become better educated.  They have better vocational options.  They engage more in civic affairs.  And more.

ODFL helps developing world girls stay in school by providing them with washable, reusable sanitary pads that help them deal with their periods.  The pads cost $5 to make, but are free to the girls.  When taken care of, they last three years, often long enough for the girls to finish school. 

The pads are made by ODFL partners in Kenya and Nepal.  Soon, we will be adding partners in Ivory Coast, Tanzania, and Morocco.  The sewing centers employ local seamstresses in meaningful, remunerative work that uplifts the girls in their communities. 

UNICEF estimates that more than 20,000,000 girls drop out of school every year because of this problem.  That is actually not a big number.  It means that it is within our reach to be able to all but eliminate this problem. 

No girl should have to drop out of school because she is female.  It is within our reach to materially improve the human condition by ensuring that all of humanity can realize its potential.  How many times in the history of the world has it been possible to say such a thing? 

We need your help to extend this campaign.