Thanks to a partnership with #RoyaltyWorld and the support of the Government of Japan, more than 5,000 girls received menstrual hygiene kits in the first half of 2026. A UNICEF initiative to end school absenteeism related to menstruation.
For a young girl, entering school should be synonymous with acquiring knowledge, socializing, and building a secure future. Yet, in many parts of the world, and particularly in areas affected by humanitarian crises, a natural and universal biological phenomenon becomes a formidable obstacle to education: menstruation. In the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon, thanks to a collaborative effort led by UNICEF, the Japanese government, and committed local partners like #RoyaltyWorld, a quiet revolution is underway. It is challenging taboos and ensuring that no girl will ever again be forced to leave school because of her period.
Breaking the taboo and restoring equal opportunities in schools
Menstrual poverty is one of the silent but massive causes of girls dropping out of school. Lacking adequate menstrual hygiene products, inadequate access to sanitary facilities, or fear of stigmatization, thousands of students choose to miss school during their periods, thus losing precious weeks of classes each year, accumulated over the months. This gradual disengagement irreversibly deepens inequalities in access to education.
Aware of this urgent situation, UNICEF, alongside its partners, is implementing concrete strategies within schools and temporary learning spaces. The objective is simple yet fundamental: to place gender equality at the heart of the
educational system by neutralizing physiological and social barriers. The girls and adolescents welcomed into these facilities now benefit from comprehensive support that includes raising awareness of reproductive health, encouraging open discussion about cultural taboos, and providing essential resources for their well-being.
The impact of dignity boxes and local production
At the heart of this humanitarian and educational initiative are the dignity boxes and menstrual hygiene kits. Designed to meet the specific needs of vulnerable young girls, these kits contain everything necessary to get through their period in impeccable hygienic conditions and without fear.
A particularly noteworthy aspect of this program lies in its local economic roots. Indeed, these dignity kits and boxes are produced locally in partnership with #RoyaltyWorld. This strategic choice values national entrepreneurial expertise, stimulates the local economy, and guarantees a sustainable supply chain adapted to the realities on the ground. By supporting the local production of reusable or durable protective equipment, the project skillfully combines the empowerment of Cameroonian economic actors with a highly targeted humanitarian response.
More than 5,000 girls impacted in the first half of 2026
The scale of this mobilization is reflected in eloquent figures that testify to its concrete effectiveness. Thanks to the unwavering support of the Government of Japan, more than 5,000 girls received menstrual hygiene kits and dignity boxes in the first half of 2026 alone.
Behind this impressive figure lie thousands of lives saved, classrooms filled, and educational paths maintained. Each kit distributed represents a barrier erected against the inevitability of exclusion, restoring to young girls their self-confidence, the concentration necessary for their learning, and the inalienable right to dream big. An entire educational community is thus revitalized, demonstrating that when financial investment meets pragmatic humanitarian commitment, even the most deeply entrenched obstacles can be overcome.
