Partnering Up to Change Perceptions on Menstrual Health

An exciting new partnership has launched between The Case for Her, Lightful and WASH United, to increase the digital fundraising and advocacy skills of grassroots organizations working in menstrual health and hygiene (MHH).

Millions of women and girls* face discrimination and exclusion from society just because they menstruate. Menstruation is a normal bodily function, yet social norms and stigma continue to prevent people who menstruate from fully and equitably participating in education, earning an income and every-day social activities. 

By raising awareness and championing education around MHH, we can help break down stigma, empower those who face inequities and highlight solutions. We must take action if we are to create a truly equal world, where no person is held back because of their period.

The Case for Her has joined forces with Lightful and WASH United to support 43 incredible grassroots organizations from across the globe. These changemakers are working hard to create awareness, provide menstrual education, access to menstrual materials, and ultimately build a more equal society by 2030 in which no one is held back because of menstruation.

Kicking off in March, the selected organizations are joining a specialized digital capacity building program to future-proof their digital fundraising and communication skills. The program is delivered by Lightful – a UK-based technology company that powers environmental and social change through supporting charities, nonprofits, social enterprises and those tackling the world’s biggest challenges, with digital skills and tools.

Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) was launched by our partners at WASH United in 2014. It is the largest global awareness and advocacy platform on the issue that brings together the voices and actions of individuals, non-profits, government agencies, the private sector and the media. By coming together on 28 May each year, the global community magnifies the importance of MHH and advocates for more funding into this underserved space. 

Each year, MH Day grows bigger, better and stronger and is supported by a partnership of over 800 organizations. Last year, the campaign reached a record-breaking 566 million people online with positive stigma-busting messaging – with even more joining on the ground.

“This programme comes right in time and we are looking forward to this partnership between The Case for Her, Lightful and WASH United. Providing the selected MH Day partners with this opportunity to strengthen their digital skills ahead of #MHDay2022 will contribute to making the day more impactful. Funding for the issue is a major bottleneck for anyone working in MHH, therefore it’s great that the cohort can strengthen their skills here, too.” – Ina Jurga,  International Coordinator MH Day/WASH United.

Over 250 organizations from across the globe applied for the opportunity to participate.  Faced with this overwhelming response, and understanding the incredible opportunity to participate in social change, Lightful generously offered to double capacity in the program. We are excited to announce that 43 organizations have been selected in this initial cohort and can’t wait to see what they make of this opportunity!

The BRIDGE program revolves around MH Day and is split into two phases:

• Phase 1 runs from March to May and focuses on strengthening participants’ capacity to take part in the MH Day 2022 campaign using digital channels and engaging with traditional media. 
• Phase 2 runs from June to August and will focus on strengthening the organizations’ digital fundraising skills, including digital fundraising from everyday donors. Participants will learn how to transition an engaged audience to become philanthropic supporters, and ultimately how to raise more funds online.

Over the period of six months, participants access a series of masterclasses that teach them how to make the most of their digital channels and receive one-on-one coaching from the experts at Lightful.

We are beyond excited to be working together with organizations that are on the frontline of menstrual health and hygiene, ending period stigma, and discrimination. 

Over the next six months, we’ll be sharing lots of insights and stories from the participating organizations so keep an eye on our blog and follow our partners, Lightful and WASH United.

*We recognize that not everyone who menstruates identifies as a woman and that not all women menstruate