A recent interview by Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) at the IND on Philanthropy in Africa conference in Victoria Falls captured CouldYou?’s work addressing the persistent challenge of period poverty across the continent.
CouldYou?’s Mission Highlighted at Conference
Representatives from CouldYou? shared powerful insights about the ongoing struggle many women and girls face due to inadequate access to menstrual products.
Women shared stories of their own experiences: “When I was growing up, whenever you soiled your dress, the whole class would laugh at you.” She expressed frustration that “the same issues that I faced when I was growing up have still not been addressed.” Period poverty is an “undignified poverty” that often remains invisible in broader discussions about development.
Sustainable Solutions Through Innovation
CouldYou?’s approach focuses on long-term, sustainable solutions rather than temporary aid. The CouldYou? menstrual cup was featured as a an important solution with its 10-year lifecycle, making it a cost-effective option. CouldYou? contrasted the cup’s environmental benefits with traditional products, noting that “tampons and pads take 500-800 years to decompose, while menstrual cups produce zero waste”
Growing Impact and Government Support
The ZBC interview highlighted how CouldYou? is working alongside governments, including Zimbabwe, to increase access to sustainable menstrual products for vulnerable women and school-aged girls.
