On Monday, Oct. 20, the Rotaract service club held their “Pads for Girls” event in State Farm Hall in collaboration with the crochet club.
Rotaract’s president Chloe Shapkauski said the goal of the event was to “make and send washable and reusable menstrual pads for girls in Africa.” The event was in support of The Pad Project, a global organization that helps girls worldwide learn about their menstrual cycles.
Blo-No Rotary member Peggy Hardy helped organize the event, which she usually participates in twice a month. Hardy opened the event with a discussion about the importance of education, especially for those living in poverty.
The project was initially created due to a spike in girls in impoverished communities and third-world countries missing class because of their menstrual cycles. Through these events, Rotary clubs help create and ship reusable pads to places like Uganda, Zambia and Kenya, as well as donate to local women and children’s organizations.
The pads look like traditional store bought sanitary napkins and are made of recycled fabrics, mattress pads and multiple layers of padding in between. They are assembled using a die cut machine to cut the materials, then are pinned and sewn together using a zigzag stitch.
Hardy believes if young girls are relieved of insecurity surrounding feminine products and hygiene, they can feel confident in attending school where they can learn to protect themselves sexually and reproductively.
Shapkauski expressed thanks on the IWU Rotaract Instagram to Hardy, Blo-No Sunrise Rotary and students in attendance, including members of the crochet club and Zeta Phi Beta. Follow @blonocollegiaterotary for updates on upcoming service events.
