Women Empowerment Zanzibar (WEZA), in partnership with Danish organizations Real Relief and Lions Club Kolding, organized a menstrual health support event at Ngome Stadium in Fuoni on 28 February 2026, benefiting 100 girls.
During the event, 50 girls from the Zanzibar Sparks football team received reusable menstrual pad kits directly on the football pitch. In addition, representatives of Madrassa Halid bin Walid in Bungi received 50 kits on behalf of girls at their madrassa, extending the support beyond the football program to the wider community.
The initiative highlighted an important message: menstruation should never be a barrier to girls’ dignity, education, or participation in daily life.
Women Empowerment Zanzibar (WEZA) is a Zanzibar-based organization that creates safe and inclusive spaces where girls learn about health, rights, leadership, and life skills through structured play and football activities.
Petra Karume, Executive Director of WEZA, emphasized the importance of menstrual health education and access to hygiene products.
“Menstrual hygiene education and access to reliable pads are essential for girls’ dignity and confidence,” she said. “When girls have the right support, they can continue attending school and participating in activities such as our football program without interruption.”
The reusable pads distributed during the event were Safepad, developed by the Danish company Real Relief and produced locally in Arusha, Tanzania.
Safepad uses patented antimicrobial technology designed to help reduce the growth of bacteria, minimize odor, and support safe and hygienic menstrual management.
“Real Relief developed Safepad to provide girls with a safe and sustainable menstrual hygiene solution,” said Trine Angeline Sig, Managing Director of Real Relief.
“They can last for several years, helping reduce the cost of disposable products while also minimizing environmental waste.”
The initiative also included the distribution of school supplies donated by Lions Club Kolding, further supporting the girls’ educational needs.
For the girls who received the kits, the message was clear: menstruation should never stand in the way of their dignity, education, or ambitions.
