Binti International celebrates its 7 year anniversary by announcing a partnership for menstrual education with the Gambian government. The first of its kind on a global level, The Gambia will become the first government to roll out a national menstrual curriculum throughout all schools and colleges across the country beginning next month. Binti has worked closely with the government to look at the long term impact that menstrual knowledge has on mental health, physical health and education as a whole.
Binti founder Gill explained, “Having worked with young people in The Gambia over a number of years, we were able to really understand the core of their needs as a community. Through our grassroots work, we know that the ripple effect of inadequate knowledge of menstrual health is a barrier for education in developing countries and increases the dropout rates for girls when they start their periods. This, compounded with a lack of period products, is directly linked to health issues such as increased risk of cancers, reproductive and gynaecological health issues and absenteeism of 10-20% of school days. We are delighted that we have the support of Hon. Claudia Cole, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education to start teaching young people about the importance of menstrual health and creating impactful change for communities throughout the country”.
Hon. Alhagie Jawara MP for Lower Baddibu said, “One of my passions is to transform the lives of Gambians and I strongly feel that starting at one of the root causes to health and development of young girls in the country starts with education. Binti has already transformed the lives of young people by rebuilding a school roof, which will allow over 1200 students and staff access to at least one wholesome meal a day. The impact of that is that they will stay in school longer and complete their education. I look forward to seeing the growth and transformation of young Gambians through the menstrual curriculum that Binti is going to provide”.
With menstrual trainers working across 5 continents and in over 13 countries, Binti is excited for what the next chapter of this award-winning charity brings. Binti is in the last stages of finalising a curriculum that will be available for schools across the UK and globally to access via a digital platform.
