Montgomery County, MD – In August 2024, local resident Jyoti Mehta launched the nonprofit An Empowered Girl after learning that many girls in the Comoros islands lacked basic menstrual products and faced misconceptions about menstruation. Since its inception, the organization has provided reusable menstrual kits to over 600 girls, aiming to keep them in school and empower families.

Addressing a critical need

Mehta, who grew up in the United States, said, “Living in the U.S., we never have to worry about menstrual products. They’re easily available. It breaks my heart that a girl cannot attend school because she has no pads.” In Comoros, some girls believed their periods were a punishment for sin or caused by eating spicy food. A single set of disposable pads can cost up to $1.20 – more than many families earn in a week.

How the program works

After researching durable fabrics and sewing techniques, Mehta and volunteers began producing reusable pads. The nonprofit operates sewing chapters in Rockville and North Potomac, Maryland, and Centreville and Ashburn, Virginia, with cutting chapters in North Potomac and Ashburn as well as student‑led groups. Fundraising events and online campaigns cover material costs.

In a remote part of Mohéli, one of the Comoros islands, An Empowered Girl distributed kits containing six reusable pads and a waterproof pouch to more than 220 girls. The organization also held training sessions for the girls and their mothers, teaching both hand‑sewing and machine‑sewing methods so local families can continue producing pads after the volunteers leave.

Impact on education and poverty

Mehta explained, “If they don’t have access to pads, they don’t go to school. Missing three or four days each month can cause a girl to fall behind and eventually give up on education, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.” By providing a sustainable solution, the nonprofit hopes to keep girls in the classroom and give families a modest source of income.

Looking ahead

The nonprofit is seeking to expand its volunteer network throughout the D.C. region, adding more sewing and cutting chapters and increasing the number of kits sent abroad. Additional information about An Empowered Girl and ways to support the effort are available on the organization’s website.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.