Ekwendeni Women Dawa Organization (EWDO) has successfully completed the Renovation and Equipping of Menstrual Hygiene Changing Room Project at Elangeni Primary School, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to promoting girls’ education, health, and dignity through sustainable community-based interventions.
The project, implemented with support from Friends of Malawi Association, was designed to address persistent menstrual hygiene management challenges that continue to affect adolescent girls in many rural schools across Malawi. Limited access to safe and private changing facilities often contributes to absenteeism, reduced classroom participation, and increased stigma among school-going girls.
Infrastructure and Hygiene Material Distribution
As part of the intervention, EWDO renovated an existing room into a fully functional menstrual hygiene changing facility equipped to provide privacy, safety, and comfort for girls during menstruation. The organization also distributed reusable sanitary pads, hygiene materials, and essential menstrual support items to adolescent girls at the school.
Empowering Through Education
In addition, EWDO facilitated menstrual health education sessions aimed at increasing awareness on proper menstrual hygiene practices, improving confidence among learners, and addressing harmful myths and stigma surrounding menstruation. The sessions created an open platform for discussion and encouraged positive attitudes toward menstrual health management within the school community.
The initiative directly supported 48 girls with menstrual hygiene kits while contributing to improved learning conditions for more than 100 adolescent girls at the school. Teachers, parents, and community stakeholders also played an important role in supporting the intervention, helping strengthen local ownership and sustainability.
"This intervention goes beyond infrastructure development. It represents an investment in girls’ confidence, educational participation, and future opportunities. Every girl deserves a safe and supportive learning environment."
— EWDO Representative
Long-Term Impact
The successful completion of the project reflects EWDO’s broader strategic vision of advancing gender equality, improving adolescent health outcomes, and strengthening community resilience through practical and scalable solutions.
EWDO remains committed to expanding similar initiatives in underserved communities across Malawi as part of its long-term mission to empower women, girls, and vulnerable populations through sustainable development programming.
The EWDO Communications Team shares stories of impact, program updates, and news from our communities across Northern Malawi.
