Irise International

Irise International is an innovative, fast growing organisation working to support the education and empowerment of disadvantaged girls in East Africa. We currently focus on addressing poor menstrual hygiene management (MHM) because this neglected issue impacts on girls’ rights to sanitation, health and education. Inadequate sanitary products combined with a lack of knowledge about menstruation, results in girls missing vital schooling or work and acts as a barrier to their empowerment. Irise works to develop a replicable and sustainable solution to MHM through setting-up local social enterprises producing reusable pads and delivering Menstrual Health Education (MHE). Social enterprises create flexible employment for women and MHE empowers girls to make choices about their own bodies.