Women Empowering Women “Empower Her Flow” School Tour

In an inspiring initiative to tackle period poverty among young girls and promote women’s empowerment, the “Empower Her Flow” school tour was born. Women Empowering Women, a community-based organization founded with a focus on the wholesome upliftment of women in Rae Town and Parade Gardens, embarks on a school tour throughout Kingston. This innovative project originated from an idea conceived by Petrina Daley, a final-year student at Northern Caribbean University (NCU), pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies with an emphasis in Public Relations, for her exit project.

“I am elated that we started this initiative because Women Empowering Women is building a stronger community through support. This idea basically came about because at the beginning of my project, I immediately realized that the organization’s main aim is providing girls and women with the tools and resources they need to thrive through economic empowerment and personal development,” Petrina Daley stated.

The organization aims to break taboos surrounding menstruation while providing essential resources. The Empower Her Flow school tour focuses on educating young girls about menstrual hygiene and the importance of having access to sanitary products during their cycles. This vital knowledge empowers them to manage their periods confidently, reducing absenteeism from school due to lack of access to necessary resources.

“It feels fulfilling to be conducting this school tour because often times females suffer from period poverty either through the lack of education or resources, and this causes to bring shame, so this tour will help to shed light on the issue and assist these young ladies in having access to knowledge and resources,” Petrina Daley stated.

To further support the cause, Women Empowering Women donated stocked sanitary napkin stations in schools visited during the tour. These stations provide a reliable source of sanitary products for students, ensuring they can attend classes without interruption due to menstrual cycles.

“I am elated that we were able to donate sanitary napkin stations to the schools, at least we feel more at peace that we are not only leaving knowledge but resources, we are also assisting with keeping them stocked in an effort to alleviating period poverty as best as we can, and the public is welcome to help us in doing so,” said Colleen Campbell, founder of Women Empowering Women.

Women Empowering Women’s approach to combating period poverty goes beyond merely providing resources. The organization engages in open conversations about menstruation to challenge societal stigmas and create an inclusive environment for young girls to discuss their experiences freely.

“It warms my heart when I see the young girls being vulnerable and sharing experiences with us or asking questions, especially seeing them excited to engage with us,” Colleen Campbell stated.

Ms. Colleen Campbell, WEW founder, emphasizes the importance of education and empowerment in addressing period poverty: “Our goal is to equip young girls with the knowledge and resources they need to manage their periods with confidence and dignity. By doing so, we hope to reduce the shame and stigma surrounding menstruation and create a supportive network for women and girls.”

As the Empower Her Flow school tour continues its mission throughout Kingston, it serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of community-driven initiatives and the impact they can have on breaking taboos and promoting women’s empowerment.