Scotland tries to combat poverty by providing free menstrual products

In 2013, the United Nations deemed access to menstrual supplies a human right. Since then, Illinois has taken a number of steps to make access to these products even easier. This story includes solutions such as free dispensers in public restrooms, eliminating the "luxury" or "tampon" tax, and drives to collect pads and tampons for low-income and homeless women.

be artsy's Rato Baltin project uses culturally relevant education, menstrual kit distribution, and engages religious leaders to challenge discriminatory practices against those who menstruate. Since launching in 2017, the group has reached 80,000 people and distributed over 5,500 menstrual cups, while simultaneously helping shift perspectives around menstruating.

Discovering Hands trains blind women as Medical Tactile Examiners to detect breast lumps through highly sensitive touch. Originally developed in Germany, the program expanded to India in 2017, addressing both a shortage of mammography equipment and cultural stigma around breast examinations. A 2023 pilot study of 104 patients confirmed MTEs perform as accurately as trained doctors, with some data showing they detect tissue changes 30% better than physicians. Patients also report they’re more comfortable seeing the MTEs, breaking down barriers that previously led to delayed diagnoses.

In Niger, an initiative challenging menstrual stigma is promoting knowledge and hygiene through community engagement and mentorship. Since 2019, the foundation has reached over 20 schools, 35 communities, more than 3,000 women and girls.

A public transportation system just for women has been developed in New Guinea in response to the extreme harassment that women face. Launched in 2014, the program called "Meri Seif (“Woman Safe”) now serves 170,000 female riders annually and has more than 10 buses. The program is still growing, as more buses get donated, but women already praise the program for increasing their sense of safety.

In Diepsloot, South Africa, a small office called Lawyers Against Abuse offers legal support for sexual assault cases in a violent city that traditionally does little to address the issue. The organization offers lawyers, victim advocates, legal counseling, and therapy as they go through the process. Since 2015, they have helped more than 800 women and secured 28 convictions.

In an effort to combat cultural stigma, misinformation and harmful behaviors, several groups and individuals are emerging to teach women about sexual health, pleasure and overall wellness, particularly in rural areas where information is sparse.

StrongMinds provides group therapy run by trained community members to help locals treat and manage their depression, as access to therapists in more rural areas is scarce. Since the organization launched in 2013, half a million people have gone through the treatment program and three-quarters of the participants have been screened as being free of depression symptoms two weeks after completing the program.

The Youngstars Foundation shares booklets with young girls of stories about women who have succeeded in their careers to inspire them to find a new sense of confidence and establish their own ambitious career goals. Between 2017 and 2019, 5,000 booklets were distributed to 4,500 young girls across 36 states. The Foundation also has an online module for the program, which over 18,000 young women and girls have signed up for.

Brencare Foundation’s Safe Space Project meets once a week within local schools to provide menstrual health, hygiene, sexual and gender-based violence education to girls in need. So far, the Foundation has reached about 5,000 women and girls across several communities with its education efforts.