Youth End Period Poverty Movement - Blog by YEPPM

International Women's Day 2026 Statement - Youth End Period Poverty Movement

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 11:11:37 +0200

Theme: "Give to Gain – Invest in Menstrual Equity to Unlock a World of Potential"

This International Women’s Day, as the world rallies under the theme "Give to Gain," we are faced with a fundamental contradiction that we can no longer ignore. We cannot speak of investing in women and girls while simultaneously leaving them to bleed in silence and shame. We cannot claim to champion progress when a natural biological function continues to be a primary barrier to education, dignity, and opportunity.

The "Give to Gain" theme speaks to the power of collective support. For the Youth End Period Poverty Movement, this call to action is profoundly literal. To give menstrual equity, through accessible products, comprehensive education, and the dismantling of stigma is to gain a future where no girl misses a day of school, no woman is forced to compromise her dignity, and an entire generation is empowered to reach its full potential.

Period poverty is not a niche issue, it is a systemic failure that holds half of humanity back. It is a crisis of equity that directly contradicts the very spirit of this day. We cannot celebrate the power of women when millions can't afford the basic sanitary wear required to simply participate in daily life.

Today, we call on governments, policymakers, and global leaders to understand that investing in menstrual equity is not just a charitable act, it is a strategic investment in our collective future. It is an investment in education, in economic productivity, and in public health.

We demand action, not just acknowledgment. We call for:

The elimination of taxes on menstrual products, recognizing them as essential items, not luxuries.
The integration of free, sustainable menstrual products in schools, public institutions, and marginalized communities.
The implementation of age-appropriate, stigma-free menstrual education for all genders, fostering understanding and solidarity from a young age.
Increased funding for research and community-led initiatives that address the intersectional nature of period poverty.

The Youth End Period Poverty Movement refuses to accept a world where a girl's future is dictated by her period. We are committed to building a period-friendly world where menstruation is a normal fact of life, not a barrier to it.

This International Women's Day, let us move beyond symbolism. Let us give what is needed so that every woman and girl can gain the life she deserves. Let us invest in periods to unlock a world of potential. Because when we achieve menstrual equity, everyone wins.

The time to give is now. The gain will be a more just and equal world for all.

Youth End Period Poverty Movement Appoints Jessica Mmola Lulu as New Executive Director

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:14:00 +0200

Lusaka, Zambia – The Youth End Period Poverty Movement is delighted to announce the appointment of Jessica Mmola Lulu as its new Executive Director, effective 1 February 2026.

With a deep-rooted dedication to advancing menstrual equity and a distinguished career in advocacy, Jessica is poised to lead the organisation into a dynamic new chapter of strategic growth and amplified impact. She succeeds Washington Mumbamarwo, the visionary Founder and inaugural Director of the movement, whose leadership has been instrumental in establishing the organisation's foundational success.

Bringing a wealth of experience to the role, Jessica previously served as the organisation's Programs Director, where she was instrumental in shaping and executing key initiatives. Her intimate knowledge of our operations, unwavering passion for our mission, and extensive background in continental advocacy will be invaluable as the Movement seeks to deepen its influence and expand its reach in the fight to end period poverty.

The Youth End Period Poverty Movement extends its deepest gratitude to Washington Mumbamarwo for his visionary leadership and remains committed to championing dignity, education, and access for all.

Youth End Period Poverty Movement Amplifies Grassroots Voices at AU-EU Forum in Angola

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 07:14:00 +0200

Launda, Angola - The Youth End Period Poverty Movement is proud to announce its active participation in the AU-EU CSO & Youth Forum, taking place in Launda, Angola, from November 20-21, 2025. Converned on the margins of the 7th AU-EU Summit, this pivotal gathering serves as a vital platform for civil society and young leaders to collaboratively shape a sustainable and inclusive future for both Africa and Europe.

Representing the movement at this high-level dialogue, Founding Director Washington Mumbamarwo underscored the organisation's commitment to inclusive advocacy. "We have come to Launda carrying the voices of grassroots youths and women from our communities," said Washington. "Our mission is clear: to move menstrual equity from the sidelines to the centre of the international development agenda and to ensure young people are recognised and empowered as co-architects of our shared future."

The forum provides a critical space to influence the priorities of the intergovernmental summit. In this spirit, the Youth End Period Poverty Movement made a significant contribution by participating in the drafting and presentation of key recommendations focused on strengthening multilateralism. The movement's input emphasised that effective, sustainable solutions to global challenges must be co-created with young people and communities they are designed to serve.

By integrating menstrual health and youth participation into the broader dialogue on multilateral cooperation, the movement is championing a vision where youth and women are not merely beneficiaries, but the principal architects of a sustainable, equatable, and prosperous future for both Africa and Europe.

Ending Period Poverty in Zambia: Join the Youth End Period Poverty Movement’s Pad Drive

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 02:37:48 +0200

In Sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 10 girls misses school during menstruation due to the lack of access to sanitary products, stigma, and poor hygiene facilities (UNESCO, UNICEF). Many are forced to use unsafe alternatives like rags, leaves, or even newspaper, putting them at risk of infections and pushing them further away from education. The Youth End Period Poverty Movement (YEPPM) is tackling this crisis head-on through the Restore Her Dignity Initiative, a holistic program that provides sanitary pads, education, and male allyship to create lasting change.

A Holistic Approach to Menstrual Equity

1. Sanitary Pad Distribution: Keeping Girls in School

Many girls in Zambia’s high-density communities struggle to afford sanitary products, forcing them to skip school every month. YEPPM’s free, eco-friendly reusable pad kits ensure that underserved girls can manage their periods safely and stay in class. By prioritizing sustainability and accessibility, we reduce both period poverty and environmental waste.

2. Menstrual Hygiene & Sexual Reproductive Health Workshops

Education is key to breaking the cycle of shame and misinformation. Our peer-led workshops equip girls with practical knowledge on menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and sexual reproductive health (SRH) rights, boosting their confidence and health literacy.

But ending stigma requires involving the whole community. That’s why we also engage boys and men in open discussions, teaching them to become Menstrual Equity Champions. Through interactive sessions, Q&As with health experts, and pledge ceremonies, we foster empathy and dismantle harmful taboos.

3. Advocacy & Community Mobilization

Sustainable change happens when entire communities commit to progress. YEPPM works with local leaders, schools, and churches to keep the conversation going. Our #MenForMH Pledge Campaign encourages men and boys to publicly stand in solidarity, creating a culture where menstruation is no longer a barrier to dignity or education.

Why This Matters

1. Girls miss less school when they have reliable sanitary products, improving their academic performance and future opportunities.

2. Breaking stigma through male engagement leads to more supportive families and communities.

3. Empowering youth with SRH knowledge reduces early pregnancies and health risks.

How You Can Help

We need your support to reach more girls and transform attitudes around menstruation in Zambia. Here’s how you can contribute:

Monetary Donations: Send funds via Mobile Money

Zambia: +260 975611097

Zimbabwe: +263 776145572

Botswana: +267 71501506

In-Kind Donations: Pads, soap, or underwear can make a direct impact.

Email: info@yeppm.org for partnerships or inquiries.

Together, We Can Restore Her Dignity

Period poverty is solvable, but it takes a collective effort. By donating, advocating, or simply raising awareness, you can help ensure that no girl in Zambia has to choose between her health and her education. Join the Youth End Period Poverty Movement today and be part of the change!

The Period Poverty Movement: Engaging Men as Allies in the Fight for Menstrual Equity

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 01:29:15 +0200

The Youth End Period Poverty Movement recognizes that menstrual equity isn't just a women's issue – it's a fundamental human rights challenge requiring united action from all genders. Our Restore Her Dignity Initiative transforms men and boys from passive observers to powerful allies in ending menstrual stigma and creating systemic change.

Here's how we're rewriting the narrative:

• Education That Empowers: We equip men and young boys with comprehensive menstrual health knowledge, replacing myths with facts

• Stigma-Busting Advocacy: We challenge deep-rooted taboos through open, intergenerational dialogue

• Policy Revolution: We mobilize male allies to champion legislation ensuring universal access to products and safe sanitation

This is about more than pads – it's about dignity. When boys learn about menstruation early, they become advocates who normalize biological reality. When men speak up, they amplify demands for equity in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.

True progress happens when society stops treating periods as whispers and starts recognizing them as a metric of equality. But we can't do it alone. Lasting change requires every gender to:

1. Listen to lived experiences

2. Challenge uncomfortable stereotypes

3. Demand policy reforms

The path to menstrual equity runs through solidarity. Will you walk it with us?

Youth End Period Poverty Movement Champions Bodily Autonomy at Day of the African Child Dialogue

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 08:52:00 +0200

On 18 June 2025, the Youth End Period Poverty Movement (YEPPM) joined young leaders and civil society at the Day of the African Child Dialogue, hosted by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation. Serving as a platform to amplify the voices, struggles, and dreams of young people across Africa, the dialogue centred on youth-led change, resilience, and the urgent need to co-create solutions for the continent’s future.

Representing the movement, Washington Mumbamarwo delivered a critical intervention exploring the intersection of bodily autonomy and mental health. Speaking to the theme of personal and societal wellness, Washington highlighted how the ability of young people, particularly young women and girls, to make informed decisions about their own bodies is fundamental to broader mental health and community resilience.

The conversation opened with reflections on the evolution of youth activism. Stacey Fru, founder of the Stacey Fru Foundation, noted that today’s movements are defined by creativity and digital innovation, declaring powerfully that "youth are not just the future; they are the present." This was reinforced by Rosevitha Ndumbu (IPPR Namibia & YALI Alumna), who spoke to the historical resistance of African youth against exclusion, emphasising the frustration of having "futures shaped without them".

Closing the session, communications specialist Darla Rudakubana called on young people to harness storytelling as a tool for solidarity, urging them to connect movements and amplify impact across borders. The dialogue reaffirmed that young people across Africa are not waiting for invitations, they are building their own tables. For the Youth End Period Poverty Movement, this platform was an opportunity to ensure that bodily autonomy is recognised as a cornerstone of justice, mental health, and sustainable development. We remain committed to showing up, speaking out, and shaping the Africa we want to see.

Youth End Period Poverty Movement Champions Menstrual Equity at Hivos Southern Africa's Regional SRHR Fund Webinar on Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025

Wed, 28 May 2025 07:13:02 +0200

The Youth End Period Poverty Movement (YEPPM) is proud to participate in the Hivos Southern Africa Regional SRHR Fund’s webinar on Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, underscoring its unwavering commitment to dismantling menstrual stigma and advancing gender-inclusive sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). Today, 28 May 2025, at 1400hrs CAT, YEPPM’s Director, Washington Mumbamarwo, will join leading advocates from Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, including Dr. Jemba Senkole (Uganda), Nelly Munyasia (Kenya), and Nompumelelo Mathabela (South Africa) to amplify male allyship in the fight for menstrual equity. This critical dialogue aligns with YEPPM’s mission to challenge toxic masculinity, foster inclusive conversations, and equip men and boys with tools to become advocates for period-friendly environments.

Through the Restore Her Dignity Initiative and Nourish Her program, YEPPM has taken a holistic approach to combating period poverty, distributing reusable pads and dignity kits while empowering girls with SRH education in schools and churches across Zimbabwe and Zambia. Recognizing that dignity extends beyond products, Nourish Her addresses menstrual health through nutrition, promoting iron-rich indigenous foods to combat anemia and the mental toll of stigma. By engaging men and boys as allies, YEPPM and its partners are reshaping societal norms, ensuring menstruation is recognized as a shared human experience rather than a source of shame.

This webinar marks a pivotal step in the Regional SRHR Fund’s Adolescent and Youth SRHR Inclusive Access Initiative, which seeks to transform harmful gender norms and amplify youth-led advocacy. YEPPM remains steadfast in collaborating with progressive forces to eradicate period poverty, advance SRH, and champion menstrual equity because no one should be held back by their biology. Together, we are building a future where menstruation is met with empathy, not stigma, and where every young person thrives in dignity and health.

Zoom Registration Link: https://bit.ly/4kgXwu4

Youth End Period Poverty Movement Amplifies Menstrual Equity and Youth-Led Advocacy in Landmark Discussions

Tue, 27 May 2025 07:00:43 +0200

As the global community observes Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, the Youth End Period Poverty Movement (YEPPM) is spearheading critical conversations to advance menstrual equity, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and inclusive advocacy across Africa. Marking this important occasion, YEPPM will host an X Space discussion on 27 May 2025 at 1900hrs CAT, featuring Chibwe Lumpa, Founder of Zambia’s Reach One Child Foundation, and Washington Mumbamarwo, YEPPM Executive Director. This dialogue will explore the intersection of menstrual equity, education access, and youth empowerment, with a particular focus on marginalized communities often left behind in these crucial discussions.

The timing of this engagement could not be more significant. Across the continent, persistent stigma, period poverty, and inadequate SRHR services continue to undermine the health, dignity, and potential of millions of young people. YEPPM’s advocacy highlights three critical pathways for change: comprehensive policy reform, community-centered education, and meaningful male engagement as part of holistic solutions to break systemic barriers.

Demonstrating its commitment to ending period poverty, advancing sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and promoting menstrual equity, YEPPM will further contribute to the Hivos Southern Africa Regional SRHR Fund Webinar on 28 May 2025, under the theme “Combating Toxic Masculinity: Male Advocacy for Menstrual Equity in East and Southern Africa.” Represented by Executive Director Washington Mumbamarwo alongside experts and changemakers from Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, this session will delve into strategies for engaging men and boys as proactive allies in challenging harmful gender norms and advancing inclusive menstrual health solutions.

These dual initiatives underscore YEPPM’s foundational belief that menstrual equity is not just a health issue, but a prerequisite for achieving gender equality, educational parity, and economic justice. Through its youth-led approach and emphasis on multi-stakeholder collaboration, the movement is catalyzing change at all levels, from local awareness campaigns to influencing regional policy frameworks.

The Youth End Period Poverty Movement Joins Zambia in Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:53:20 +0200

On this special occasion of Kenneth Kaunda Day 2025, the Youth End Period Poverty Movement joins the nation and the global community in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s founding father and a towering figure in the fight for freedom, dignity, and social justice.

Dr. Kaunda’s unwavering commitment to human rights, equality, and Pan-African solidarity continues to inspire our work in advocating for menstrual equity and the eradication of period poverty. His belief in a just and inclusive society aligns with our mission to ensure that no girl or woman is denied education, health, or opportunity due to lack of access to menstrual products and education.

As we reflect on his profound contributions to Zambia and the world, we recommit ourselves to upholding his values of compassion, resilience, and service to humanity. Today, we honor his profound contributions and reaffirm our commitment to building a more just and inclusive world in his spirit.

Happy Kenneth Kaunda Day!!!

Justice for Cwecwe - Stand Against Child Rape!!!

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:05:07 +0200

We, the Youth End Period Poverty Movement, stand in unwavering solidarity with Cwecwe, the seven-year-old survivor of a horrific rape at her school in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Our hearts ache for Cwecwe, her family, and all survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) who endure unimaginable pain. No child should ever suffer such brutality, and no perpetrator should escape accountability.

This heinous crime is a stark reminder of the pervasive violence faced by women, girls, and vulnerable communities in South Africa and beyond. We demand:

Justice for Cwecwe – A thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation leading to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrator.
Protection for Learners – Immediate measures to ensure schools are safe spaces, including GBV prevention programs, trauma support, and stricter safeguarding policies.
Systemic Change – Government, law enforcement, and educational institutions must prioritize ending GBV through policy reform, survivor-centered justice, and community education.
Support for Survivors – Access to free medical care, psychosocial support, and legal aid for Cwecwe and all GBV survivors.

We call on all youth, activists, and allies to break the silence, challenge rape culture, and hold institutions accountable. GBV is not just a women’s issue, it is a human rights crisis demanding collective action.