The Frontline of Dignity

Stories of our work to give girls power over their periods

Going Back to School, Shameless

As girls get excited to head back to school in the US, girls in Ethiopia face school with the fear of shame and embarrassment. This...

Let’s hear it for the boys (and men)

African men and boys are often characterized as being insensitive to a woman’s needs. Magazines, newspapers, and charitable organizations...

Meet Shewaye Belay Tessema: Our go-to person on the ground at Mekelle University

Shewaye Belay Tessema has worked on a lot of projects. With an MSc in parasitology and immunology from Addis Ababa University, and a...

Women Supporting Women

As the mother of two daughters, Denise Pitlyk understands the significance of supporting and celebrating a girl’s transition into...

The monthly flower – A research update

Menstruation occurs due to the burdens or stresses of daily life. Periods result because of nature, or God’s will. Menstrual blood is a...

5 period pointers from girls, for girls

Periods in Ethiopia are often difficult; girls report fear and shame – fear of what is happening in their bodies, and shame from others...

Far from home – Harifeya’s story

It is common for teenage girls from rural Ethiopia to live far from their families to attend school. While this can often make their...

Putting the “Men” in Menstrual Hygiene

Today we want to talk about what dads, and other men and boys, can do to improve menstrual hygiene. I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t...

Why education about menstruation is important – for everyone

Imagine waking up in the morning as a teenage girl with blood on your bedding and no idea why it is there. Imagine first your fear, and...

Five things to know about menstrual hygiene around the world

Through our work in rural Ethiopia, we’ve learned that many people, in the US and elsewhere, are not aware of the challenges faced by...

Choosing a different path

Asafach is 21 years old and lives with her father and her two brothers. Her mother died when she was young, so she takes care of her...

What it costs to go back to school

Being a teenager isn’t easy, regardless of which continent you’re on. The transition from childhood to adulthood is universally confusing...

You can’t solve a problem you don’t understand

“One day, this smart girl in our class was asked to answer a question that involved her writing the answer on the blackboard, with her...

Manufacturing Independence: Earu’s Story

At first blush, Earu appears shy and quiet. She smiles in a reserved way, lowering her eyes and raising a hand to partially cover her...

Freweini’s Story

I was born and raised in a small town in rural Ethiopia. I come from a family of 8 – 3 boys and 5 girls. I am the 7th child, the youngest...