Threads of Change: Gatsibo Women Are Sewing Dignity and Hope
In the heart of rural Gatsibo, a quiet transformation is taking place. What began as a simple training on making reusable sanitary pads is growing into a movement of empowerment, dignity, and hope for women heading households and teenage mothers.
For many of these women, managing monthly periods used to mean lost days of work, discomfort, or shame. Some had to rely on unsafe alternatives because they could not afford pads. But through Dorcas Consolation Family’s (DCF) in partnership with MLFM in Gatsibo, they are now creating sustainable solutions with their own hands, reusable pads that protect their daughters, sisters, and entire communities.
The training brought together 15 women from different villages in Gatsibo District, equipping them not only with practical sewing skills but also with knowledge on menstrual hygiene, entrepreneurship, and self-confidence.
The sewing machines became more than tools; they became instruments of change. Each pad they produce tells a story of resilience and restoration.
Bernadette, one of the participants, shared, “Before this training, I had no skill to rely on. Today, I can make pads not just for me but to support my family and also teach other women. I feel proud to be part of something that helps our girls stay in school.”
The ripple effect is already visible. The women have formed a cooperative, producing pads that will be sold in their community at an affordable price, Others are selling them in their communities, creating a source of income while breaking the silence and stigma around menstruation. Local leaders have also begun showing support, recognizing how these women are turning skills into solutions that promote health, education, and economic resilience.
This initiative reflects DCF’s heart rural women, real change where rural women aretaking part to bring a solution to their community it’s more than just training; it’s a path toward self-reliance and restored dignity. Through these women, menstrual health education will reach more households, and young girls will gain the confidence to stay in school.
Looking ahead, DCF plans to expand this model to other rural districts, creating a network of women who produce reusable pads while advocating for menstrual dignity and ending period shame.
In every pad they sew, there’s a message of hope: that no girl should have to skip school because of her period, and no woman should feel shame about her body.
Through projects like this, DCF continues to champion menstrual dignity, economic empowerment, and thriving families across rural Rwanda, one stitch at a time.
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