Latest Articles

Join our Board of Directors!

Are you interested in improving Menstrual Health Management in Uganda? If so, we extend a warm invitation to you to explore a pivotal role as a Board Member with WoMena...

WoMena is looking for a Research Project Assistant

Job Description – Research Project Assistant. Position title: Research Project Assistant. Reports to: Research Project Manager (First Line), Research Project Officers (Second line). Location: Kampala (WoMena Uganda Office, Ntinda). Status:...

Global Research Update #45

Sexual and reproductive health knowledge among adolescent Syrian refugee girls displaced in Lebanon: The role of schooling and parental communication Sasha Abdallah Fahme,L’Emira Lama El...

WoMena 2021/2022 Annual Report

Throughout the reporting period (July 2021 – June 2022), WoMena successfully reached 11,911 people with Menstrual Health (MH) knowledge, and distributed 6,390 MH Kits, 6,462...

Internship Advertisement: Financial Management Officer

Interested in getting hands-on experience in NGO, HR & Financial Management in development programmes? And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we...

Global Research Update #44

Menstrual health and period poverty in Lebanon during economic crisis: A qualitative analysis of the challenges; Hassan et al., Frontiers in Reproductive health, 2022 This study from...

A Loving Tribute to Siri Tellier

It is with immense sorrow that WoMena says a heartbreaking goodbye to our Senior Reproductive Health Advisor and fervent supporter, Siri Tellier, who passed away...

10 Reasons Menstrual Cups can be a Good Solution

We are asked by menstruators, trainers, programme staff and donors about why MCs could be a good solution. We have tried to assemble the best...

WoMena Uganda is looking for a Research Project Assistant

Job Description – Research Project Assistant. Position title: Research Project Assistant. Reports to: Research and Innovations Project Manager (1st Line); Head of Programs (2nd line). Location: Kampala (WoMena Uganda Office,...

2017 Milestone: Achieving VAT exemption of Menstrual Cups in Uganda

In July 2017, WoMena came to directly see the positive impact of our advocacy efforts at political level in Uganda. Joining forces with our partner...

Will you get a cup for your sister also? Alice Mungeni’s story

Alice is 22-years old and one of WoMena’s trainer of trainers in Uganda’s Bukere-Kyaka II Refugee Settlement. Along with her parents and other family members...

Join our Board of Directors!

WoMena Uganda is looking for new Board Members on Menstrual Health Management and Advocacy Who are we? In the field of reproductive health, a great...

Global Research Update #38

Sang et al.,2021: Blood Work: Managing Menstruation, Menopause and Gynaecological Health Conditions in the Workplace. A qualitative survey was conducted among 627 female employees working...

Global Research Update #37

Pokhrel et al., 2021: Acceptability and feasibility of using vaginal menstrual cups among schoolgirls in rural Nepal: a qualitative pilot study. An exploratory study based...

Global Research Update #25

Schlievert et al., 2019: Effect of non-absorbent intravaginal menstrual/contraceptive products on Staphylococcus aureus and production of the superantigen TSST-1. Vitro tests conducted to evaluate three...

Global Research Update #26

Kansiime et al., 2020: Menstrual health intervention and school attendance in Uganda (MENISCUS-2): a pilot intervention study. Longitudinal study with pre–post evaluation of a pilot...

Global Research Update #27

Goddard & Sommer., 2020: Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management and WASH in Urban Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management and WASH in Urban Slums: Gaps in...

Global Research Update #28

Nalugya et al., 2020: Assessing the effectiveness of a comprehensive menstrual health intervention program in Ugandan schools (MENISCUS): process evaluation of a pilot intervention study....

Global Research Update #29

WoMena, 2020: Menstrual Cup Market Accessibility Report (MCMAP). An evaluation was conducted by WoMena Uganda in collaboration with several partners (Marie Stopes (MS) Uganda, Welthungerhilfe...

Global Research Update #30

WoMena, 2020: Beyond Distribution: A Feasibility Study of Introducing a Menstrual Health Component into Four Secondary Schools in Buikwe District, Uganda (Phase 1). A pilot...

Global Research Update #31

Bobel et al.,2020: The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Menstruation Studies. The Palgrave Handbook consists of 72 chapters. WoMena has contributed two chapters on “Menstrual Health...

Global Research Update #32

Clatworthy et al.,2020: Monitoring Menstrual Hygiene Management Programming in Emergencies: A Rapid Assessment Tool (M-RAT). This M-RAT was developed by Columbia University and the International...

Global Research Update #33

Beksinska et al., 2020: Acceptability of the menstrual cup among students in further education institutions in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A cohort study was done among...

Global Research Update #34

Winkler et al., 2020: The Politics, Promises, and Perils of Data: Evidence-Driven Policy and Practice for Menstrual Health. Several scholars from multiple disciplines discuss questions...

Global Research Update #35

Hennegan et al., 2020: ‘I do what a woman should do’: a grounded theory study of women’s menstrual experiences at work in Mukono District, Uganda....

Global Research Update #36

Sommer et al., 2021: Menstrual hygiene management in schools: midway progress update on the “MHM in Ten”2014–2024 global agenda. A global desk review was done...

Global Research Update #23

The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, 2019: Improving health and learning through better water, sanitation and hygiene in schools: an information package for...

Global Research Update #24

Puniz and Hekster, 2019: Technical brief for the Integration of Menstrual Health in SRHR. PSI Europe developed a tool kit with the aim of integrating...

Happy holidays from WoMena!

2020 has been a challenging year for most of us. The corona pandemic has heavily affected WoMena’s work, as so much of what we do...

Menstrual health Management among urban Refugees – update

Menstrual health Management among urban Refugees is a project funded by the US Embassy in Uganda and implemented by WoMena Uganda with support from local...

WoMena is looking for good examples of progress on menstrual health in the East and Southern Africa region

Do you have any reports or other documentation on progress or important MHM events in the East & Southern African region? WoMena has been asked...

Media Café Launch and Training of Trainers

Media Café Launch 30th. October 2020 the Bfree media Café was launched as a platform to reach more than 100,000 people on social media platforms,...

Menstrual Health Component for Primary Schools Project in Buikwe District

WoMena Uganda in partnership with Buikwe District Local Government and the Icelandic Embassy is implementing Menstrual Health Component for Primary Schools Project in 21 primary...

Menstrual health management (MHM) intervention in Adjumani District

With funding from Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT) through the Canadian Government, Women’s Global Health Innovations (WGHI) in partnership with Public Health Ambassadors Uganda...

WoMena has been named as one of the most cost-effective menstrual health organisations in the world

We are honored to announce that WoMena has been named as one of the most cost-effective menstrual health organisations in the world in a new...

International Day of the Girl Child

Today we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child! This year’s theme “My Voice, Our Equal Future” highlights the importance of addressing the needs...

Autumn newsletter is out!

In a world where the corona virus (Covid-19) continues to have a severe impact on all our lives, we at WoMena are determined to keep working...

New Executive Director of WoMena Uganda – Paul Kapotwe

Please join us welcoming the new Executive Director of WoMena Uganda, Paul Kapotwe. He is a citizen of Zambia with over 15 years in rural...

Studio MH Day: Impact

Taking place on 23 September from 3 to 5 PM CET, Studio MH Day: Impact will be a live online event where the outstanding results...

Virtual book launch – The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Menstruation Studies

Join the launch of the recently published Handbook of Critical Menstruation Studies, to which WoMena has contributed a couple of chapters. During the launch, the...

Let’s talk about menstruation!

WoMena Uganda has partnered with Youth Equality Center – YEC to hold important conversations on menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) on YEC Radio – an...

Are Menstrual Cups regulated by governments around the world?

DOWNLOAD FAQ HERE WoMena Summary and Approach WoMena sometimes gets the question: Are menstrual cups (MCs) ‘regulated’ by governments? This is an important question for...

What are the links between Menstrual Health Management & Gender-Based Violence?

DOWNLOAD ARTICLE HERE WoMena SUMMARY [1] There is a growing understanding that gender-based violence (GBV) has many dimensions, both physical and psychological. It additionally includes...

Period poverty & health workers fighting COVID-19

“I told my female colleague that my dress is spoiled and I cannot even get up and walk to someplace where I can go easily...

MHM & COVID-19 – A web dialog about lessons learnt during pandemic

The African Coalition for Menstrual Health Management (ACHMH) and Days for Girls (DfG), with support and guidance from UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office,...

How does inadequate Menstrual Health Management pose challenges to achieving the SDGs?

Menstruation is connected to many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is not unique – many other fields also find this connectedness. However, we...

NEW PUBLICATION – The Menstrual Cup Market Accessibility Project (MCMAP)

WoMena Uganda in collaboration with several partners (Marie Stopes Uganda, Welthungerhilfe, private pharmacies, Ruby Life, and HUE Experiential) conducted a project in Uganda to integrate...

A rapid assessment on the impact of COVID-19 on menstruating girls and women in Uganda

COVID 19 crisis may limit access to menstrual products. Last week, WoMena performed a rapid assessment on the impact of COVID 19 on menstruating girls...

Menstrual Health Week 2020

As Menstrual Hygiene Day partner, we ended the Menstrual Month of May 2020 with the WoMena Menstrual Health Week 2020. Each day of the week, we explored...

Menstrual Health and Covid-19 – What we have learned?

Let us commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day in a very different way this year due to COVID-19! Join in a pre-Menstrual Hygiene Day web dialogue on...

Introducing new anti-microbial menstrual cup in Adjumani District

WoMena Uganda supported the implementation of a menstrual cup pilot intervention in collaboration with Public Health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU), Women’s Global Health Innovations (WGHI) and...

What happens when we can’t deliver what we promised?

How did WoMena Uganda manage the cancellation of intervention activities in the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement? Read the whole story HERE.

Assessing the effectiveness of a comprehensive menstrual health intervention program in Ugandan schools (MENISCUS)

The intervention included five components delivered by the implementing partner (WoMena Uganda) and the research team: (i) training teachers to implement government guidelines for puberty...

Ruby Cup made me proud to be a Woman!

At the age of 14, Diana fled conflict in the DRC in 2008, together with 3 members of my family. Now she is a part...

COVID-19 and Menstruation – what are the challenges?

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THIS FAQs HERE This mini-FAQ is being updated as we get new information and comments. At this point, the scientific evidence is...

WoMena Annual Report 2019

The WoMena Annual Report 2019 is published. The report presents several significant milestones of WoMena in 2019, as well as anchors to our overall strategy in...

A message from our Acting Executive Director, Thao Ngoc Do

Dear friends and supporters, We at WoMena hope you are well and keeping safe during these uncertain times. The current situation in Uganda seems uncertain...

MENSTRUAL CUP SHORT FAQs AND ANSWERS

WoMena receives many questions from the women and girls we reach out to, from our trainers and our partners. Therefore, the team collected a series...

Do menstrual cups (MCs) cause uterine prolapse?

The issue raised by an article in the BBC is actually NOT that MCs cause uterine prolapse. The issue is that two women report they are...

WoMena creates awareness on Menstrual Health Management at Kyambogo University

WoMena participated in the 2020 International Women Day celebrations at Kyambogo University to create awareness and provide MHM education and information on Menstrual Cup usage....

Menstrual Cup “Bfree” Promotion Video

New video about WoMena’s, Women’s Global Health Innovations’, and Public Health Ambassadors Uganda’s Bfree project in Alele and Dzaipi refugee settlements provides MHM training and antibacterial ‘Bfree’ menstrual...

Does menstruation make girls miss school?

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THIS FAQs AS PDF HERE WoMena receives many questions from the women and girls we reach out to, from our trainers...

Web-dialogue: low- and middle-income country perspectives on menstrual product taxes

Several countries and states around the world have responded to campaigns for the removal or reduction of taxes on menstrual products, the most recent being...

Meet M.B. – GBV survivor and Menstrual Cup champion

” Thank you WoMena! I was an ex-militant. My husband died in the war, so, I ran to Uganda with our only son. There, I...

Global Research Update #22

Zulaika et al., 2019: Menstrual cups and cash transfer to reduce sexual and reproductive harm and school dropout in adolescent schoolgirls: study protocol of a...

WoMena receives the POWER, TOGETHER award

The Power of Collaboration! WoMena is thrilled to be among the 21 organizations around the world to receive the Women Leaders Global Forum Power Together...

November Newsletter

The year 2019 has been our busiest so far. In our latest newsletter you will find progress updates of our ongoing projects in Uganda, Kenya and...

REPORT: Menstrual Cup Research Dissemination Meeting Menstrual Cups: Innovative Menstrual Health Management

The report from the Menstrual Cup Research Dissemination Meeting, which took place last year is now available online. The purpose of the meeting was to...

Menstrual Health Management training in Home Bay, Kenya

In June, we conducted a two-day training on Menstrual Health Management and the use of the menstrual cup in Homa Bay in Kenya. The training participants...

Webinar – An unavoidable issue: Addressing menstrual health supply needs in humanitarian contexts

Menstruators do not cease menstruating during conflict, displacement and humanitarian emergencies but menstrual health management (MHM) issues are often not considered to be life-threatening, and...

Global Research Update #21

Hennegan et al. (2019): Women’s and girls’ experiences of menstruation in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and qualitative metasynthesis. A systematic review and...

New vacancy: Administrative Assistant

Position title: Administrative Assistant Reports to: Programme Office Manager Location: WoMena Uganda Office – Ntinda Kigoowa Contract: 1 year (with 3 months probationary period) Hours:...

Do menstrual products contain harmful substances?

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THIS FAQ AS PDF HERE Introduction Concerns about harmful substances in menstrual products are common and frequently expressed in alarmist headlines in the...

New partnership announcement!

Womena is happy to announce a new partnership with Save the Children International (SCI), Norad and Clean Cup on a pilot project seeking to improve...

Menstrual Hygiene Day 2019

Yesterday we celebrated the 2019 Menstrual Hygiene Day! We took part and organized events both in Denmark and Uganda. See below so photos of us...

Global Research Update #20

Hytti et al. (2019): Menstrual Cup Interventions Follow-up Study, Uganda: Study Report. The study objectives included continual use of the menstrual cups after initial introduction,...

Interested in getting hands-on experience in Monitoring & Evaluation and Communication in development programmes?

And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we are looking for. We are looking for a Monitoring &...

Interested in getting hands-on experience in Project Management in development programmes?

And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we are looking for. We are currently looking for a Project...

Interested in getting hands-on experience in NGO, HR & Financial Management in development programmes?

And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we are looking for. We are currently looking for an...

New publication: Menstrual Cup Interventions Follow-up Study Report, Uganda

Our follow-up report on the long-term experiences of menstrual cup use among girls and women from three menstrual cup interventions conducted in the rural Kitgum,...

Global Research Update #19

Wilbur et al. (2019): Systematic review of menstrual hygiene management requirements, its barriers and strategies for disabled people . This review assesses the menstrual hygiene requirements...

Meet the Trainers – Priscilla Nansubuga

For part two in our series ‘Meet the Trainers’, we get to know Priscilla Nansubuga, nurse by profession, feminist by passion and a WoMena trainer...

What is the environmental impact of menstrual products?

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THIS FAQ AS PDF HERE Which, and how many, menstrual products are used? What is their content? We focus on commercially available, disposable...

Global Research Update #18

CARE International and WoMena Uganda (2018): Ruby Cups: Girls in Imvepi Refugee Settlement Taking Control. The Menstrual Hygiene Management pilot was conducted among 80 refugee women and...

Viola’s cup story

Viola Jackline lives in Imvepi Refugee Settlement. She tells us about her experiences participating in the menstrual cup pilot project carried out by CARE International...

Photo Story: Meeting linguistic challenges with images

Meet the Trainers – Mukyala Pinky Theresa

In our new series we talk to the WoMena trainers who do the very important work of delivering trainings to girls and women on menstrual...

Is there any connection between menstrual cups and infections?

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THIS FAQ AS PDF HERE What is the link between menstruation and infection? WoMena staff are frequently asked by health providers...

Free menstrual health training tool kit tested

Together with Ruby Life, WoMena is in the early stages of launching a tool kit that can be used to train girls and women about...

Global Research Update #17

Aqua for All & Simavi (2018): Learning and innovating, positioning the school health club for WASH and menstrual health action. This paper presents the experiences of...

New Vacancy: Project Manager

WoMena Uganda is currently looking for a Project Manager whose main role will be to implement and evaluate menstrual cup research and projects in Uganda attached...

Interested in getting hands-on experience in NGO, HR & Financial Management in development programmes?

And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we are looking for. We are currently looking for an Organisational...

Interested in getting hands-on experience regarding Communications of development programmes?

And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we are looking for. We are currently looking for a Part-Time, Volunteer...

Interested in getting hands-on management experience regarding Communications of development programmes?

And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we are looking for. We are currently looking for a Part-Time, Volunteer...

Interested in getting hands-on experience regarding Reproductive Health Advocacy?

Then you might be who we are looking for! We are currently looking for a Part-Time, Volunteer Advocacy Officer (5-10 hours per month) to work...

Global Research Update #16

Madziyire, M.G et al. (2018): Menstrual Cups as a Menstrual Management Method for Low Socioeconomic Status Women and Girls in Zimbabwe: A Pilot Study. A prospective interventional...

Ruby Cups: Girls in Imvepi Refugee Settlement Taking Control

CARE International and WoMena Uganda are currently concluding a menstrual cup (MC) pilot implementation project in Imvepi Refugee Settlement, funded by European Union Civil Protection...

“I said to myself: Am I normal?”

Read the story of how Resty – one of the teachers taking part in WoMena Uganda’s project in Buikwe District – experienced having her first...

Interested in getting hands-on experience in menstrual and reproductive health training?

Are you interested in training girls and women in their sexual and reproductive rights? Then you might be who we are looking for! We are...

Do menstrual cups affect hymens/virginity?

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THIS FAQ AS PDF HERE What is the hymen? There is widespread belief that girls are born with a solid membrane...

Global Reserach Update #15

Min, J and Ahn, S (2018): Effects of menstrual self-management education program on knowledge and behavior of menstrual self-management in high school girls. A randomized controlled trial...

Meet the team – Alex Farley

For this installment of Meet the team, we have spoken to Alex Farley, Research and Project Management Officer with WoMena Uganda. Alex did her undergraduate...

Interested in getting hands-on experience in Monitoring & Evaluation and Communication in development programmes?

And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we are looking for. We are looking for a Monitoring...

Interested in getting hands-on experience in NGO, HR and Financial Management in development programmes?

And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we are looking for. We are currently looking for an...

Interested in getting hands-on experience in Research & Project Management in development programmes?

And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we are looking for. We are currently looking for a...

WoMena project presented at international menstrual health conference

On the 30th of October – a rainy day in Kampala it turned out – the 7th Virtual Conference on MHM (Menstrual Hygiene Management) in...

Our October Newsletter is out!

The October Newsletter highlights some of our key activities in the recent months. These include updates from our projects in Uganda and Denmark as well...

A newcomer’s impressions from a WoMena Uganda training

Under the shade of a large tree, the senior 1 girls of Nyenga Senior Secondary School are looking at one of their classmates stretching her...

ZOA Refugee Menstrual Cup scale up project updates

The ZOA Imvepi Menstrual cup Scale up project was conducted by ZOA and WoMena Uganda as part of a project led by ZOA in consortium...

New partnership announcement – Goodwings

Goodwings is a hotel booking site with a vision of turning the hotel industry into a driving force for positive change. Goodwings works with Womena and...

What are menstrual irregularities?

QUESTION: what is the menstrual cycle? menarche? menopause? We refer to the menstrual cycle, or ‘menses’, as the cyclical discharge of blood and...

Ndrelmba, Perotiyapa and Dora: Translating Menstruation

WoMena’s Project Management and Research Officer Alex Farley wrote a guest blog post on the Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF) website about the importance of language in menstrual health...

Meet the team – Nakalema Shamirah

Today we are speaking to our training Coordinator Nakalema Shamirah. She is Ugandan, 28 years old and mother of two boys. How did you become involved in...

The importance of male involvement in gender programmes

In the year of the #metoomovement and a week which witnesses both the overturn of the Irish abortion ban and the fourth anniversary of International...

New project with Reden / The Nest International

WoMena has recently commenced a partnership with Nest International, an independent private institution that supports foreign sex workers in Copenhagen, Denmark. The partners will over...

WoMena participation in WHO Global MHM research meeting

On 23-24 Aug 2018, WoMena participated in a Global research collaborative meeting on menstrual health in adolescents at WHO Headquarters in Geneva hosted by WHO’s Department of Reproductive Health and......

Improving menstrual health in the Imvepi refugee settlement

We are currently implementing a small intervention aimed at improving menstrual health in Imvepi Refugee settlement particularly in Lanya Primary School. This intervention will benefit...

Global Research Update #14

Nurkhairulnisa AI et al. (2018) in a questionnaire -based study of 123 parents/guardians from both public forum held in May 2012 and adolescent gynaecology or paediatric...

Do nutritional deficiencies lead to menstrual irregularities?

Menstrual irregularities can cause significant difficulties in the everyday life of menstruating women and girls. However, menstrual irregularities are not considered as important public health concerns especially...

Interested in working with Training and Project Management for development programmes?

And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we are looking for. We are currently looking to hire...

Global Research Update #13

Castensson, A (2018) in her thesis: The Capability of Cups: A comparative field study in Uganda investigating the impact of menstrual cups on women and...

Menstrual Cup Research Dissemination Meeting – 28th of June 2018 Kampala, Uganda

Menstrual Cups (MCs) have been introduced as a sustainable Menstrual Health Management (MHM) option with success in several African countries, including Uganda, Kenya, and South...

Marie Stopes Uganda (MSU) reproductive health hotline

Based on our joint menstrual cup pilot, Marie Stopes Uganda (MSU), one of WoMena’s partners in Uganda has included menstrual health & cups in their...

Menstrual Health for Schools – Updates from the Buikwe district model

The WoMena team has been busy in Buikwe throughout March and April with parents meetings, data collection and a lot of trainings. In collaboration with...

Global Research Update #12

WoMena (Tellier, S & Hyttel, M) (2018) in a review paper: Menstrual Health Management in East and Southern Africa: A Review Paper aim to identify...

Challenges And Opportunities Of Menstrual Health In Ugandan Refugee Settlements

WoMena’s project officer Megan Devonald wrote a guest blog post on the Humanitarian Innovation Fund website about our project Feasibility assessment of menstrual cups and reusable pads as...

New publication: Menstrual Health Management in East and Southern Africa – a Review Paper

WoMena was commissioned by UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office to produce a literature review of current Menstrual Health Management (MHM) in East and Southern...

NowThis – MHM pilot intervention at the Rhino Refugee Settlement in Uganda

Our MHM pilot intervention at the Rhino Refugee Settlement in Uganda was featured in the NowThis News.

Happy Menstrual Hygiene Day 2018!

Today we are celebrating Menstrual Hygiene Day 2018 and showing how menstruation matters… …in Johannesburg, South Africa at the UNFPA East and South Africa Regional Menstrual Health...

Are menstrual cups acceptable to muslims?

QUESTION: Are Menstrual Cups (MCs) ‘culturally acceptable’ to Muslims? WHAT DO MUSLIM AUTHORITIES STATE? In any context, the concept of ‘culturally acceptable’ needs to be...

Our May Newsletter is out!

The May newsletter focuses on the Menstrual Hygiene Day 2018! You can find WoMena in Johannesburg, Kampala and Copenhagen throughout the week leading up to the main day...

Global Research Update #11

Sommer et al. (2018) in a multiple methods study: pilot testing and evaluation of a toolkit for Menstrual Hygiene Management in Emergencies in three camps hosting...

Does the use of menstrual cups increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome?

QUESTION: Does use of menstrual cups increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome (tss)? TSS – WHAT IS IT? TSS is an autoimmune reaction...

In the press: Sustainable menstrual health solutions for women in Uganda

WoMena’s work in Uganda is featured in an article in the online magazine Impakter. Addressing the MHM challenges in a country like Uganda goes beyond...

New partnership announcement – GreenSpeak

We are happy to announce that WoMena is now one of the support projects at GreenSpeak (Denmark’s charitable telecom company). This means that GreenSpeak customers can support WoMena...

Can you use a Menstrual Cup when also using an IUD?

QUESTION: Can you use a menstrual cup (MC) when you are also using an Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)? EVIDENCE ON IUD EXPULSION IUDs are...

Interested in getting hands-on experience in Monitoring & Evaluation and Communication in development programmes?

And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we are looking for. We are looking for a Monitoring...

Interested in getting hands-on experience in NGO, HR and Financial Management in development programmes?

And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we are looking for. We are currently looking for an...

Interested in getting hands-on experience in Research & Project Management in development programmes?

And do you have an interest in international reproductive health? Then you might be who we are looking for. We are currently looking for a...

Global Research Update #10

Vanleeuwen et al. (2018) in a literature review of 51 articles: Improving menstrual hygiene management in emergency contexts: literature review of current perspectives grouped literature into six categories: supportive...

Launch of the What Women Want campaign

Approximately 300,000 women die during pregnancy and childbirth every year and greater numbers still lack access to effective family planning and quality reproductive care. For...

Greetings from Kampala!

Louise is part of WoMena’s communications team and last month she visited the WoMena office in Kampala. Here are some reflections from her experience with our...

Global Research Update #9

Hagander M & Velin S (2017) in their Master’s thesis Identifying and Addressing the Challenges of Mainstreaming the Menstrual Cup in Uganda do a literature review and a...

Happy International Women’s Day 2018!

Menstrual health is fundamental to advancing human rights, education and gender equality. We work to provide sustainable solutions for girls and women to manage their...

Training of Trainers, Menstrual health for schools – Buikwe District Model

In January this year, 34 women participated in a 3-day WoMena workshop to become trainers in menstrual health and management, as part of the component on...

Risks, Secret Routines and Missing Connectors – Understanding long-term use of the menstrual cup

WoMena has been working with menstrual cups since 2012. In that time, we have learnt a thing or two about implementing menstrual health and menstrual...

Nairobi Cup Summit – and a future East African Cup Coalition

The first Menstrual Cup Summit of its kind was in Nairobi on the 23th– 25th January 2018 arranged by The Cup Foundation, and supported by...

Meet the team – Diana Nalunga

WoMena’s administrative assistant and trainer Diana lives in Kampala with her husband and daughter on 2 years and 8 months. She has a bachelor in...

Global Research Update #8

Miiro et al. (2018) in a cross-sectional, mixed methods study menstrual health and school absenteeism among adolescent girls in Uganda (MENISCUS) includes 352 girls in secondary schools...

WoMena is presenting at the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition webinar

The Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition is a global partnership of public, private, and non-governmental organizations dedicated to ensuring that all people in low- and middle-income...

Cycling for cycles – from Belgium to South Africa

Stijn Van Parys arrived at the WoMena office in Kampala, after having cycled for 7 months starting in Belgium, crossing more than 14 countries along...

Global Research Update #7

Mason L et al. (2017) in a qualitative study in three states in India ‘We do not know’: Exploring boys perceptions of menstruation aims at evaluating the...

Visit to Imvepi Settlement in Uganda

Last November we visited the Arua/Imvepi refugee settlement to train CARE staff who are working on a gender-based violence (GBV) prevention program which incorporates also a...

Become a WoMena member in 2018!

Did you know that since 2015 WoMena has stretched across 93 sites, distributed more than 3000 cups and reached more than 3000 beneficiaries? In 2018...

Happy Holidays from WoMena!

The year 2017 is coming to an end and we have summed up the major highlights from this year as well as the major lookouts for...

In the press: WoMena’s MHM pilot intervention in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement

WoMena’s research with ZOA to assess the acceptability of introducing menstrual cups and reusable pads has been featured in the online news articles by News Deeply...

Global Research Update #6

The UN has released The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2017. Under GOAL 4 (quality education) it notes that, in 2011, less than half of schools...

WHAT IS THIS HYPE ABOUT MENSTRUATION?

“People are starting to realise, we don’t have to feel bad about this – let’s celebrate it!” (Marianne Tellier, Executive Director WoMena) WoMena’s co-founder and...

Our November/December newsletter is out!

Our end-of-the-year newsletter highlights results and major impact achievements through our work this year. If you wish to receive news of our activities please sign up for our newsletter.

CALL FOR DONATIONS!

WoMena Uganda is looking for secondhand IT equipment! Do you have any redundant material that appears in the list below and would you be happy...

Global Research Update #5

Maurya A et al. (2017) in a qualitative analysis of upper primary science textbooks of eight states in India ‘Menstruation and Textbooks‘ find that only four...

REPORT: MENSTRUAL HEALTH IN RHINO CAMP REFUGEE SETTLEMENT

In Uganda approximately 86% of South Sudanese refugee arrivals are women and children (UNHCR, 2017). Globally, girls and women often lack the ability to manage...

WoMena’s research presented at the 6th Annual Virtual Conference on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in Schools

The 6th Annual Virtual Conference on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in Schools, co-hosted by UNICEF and Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health took place on...

Global Research Update #4

Schmitt et al. (2017) in two qualitative assessments in Myanmar and Lebanon Understanding menstrual hygiene management challenges facing displaced girls and women finds that there...

Global Research Update #3

Researchers in Japan, examining medical records of women with untreated Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), attempted to quantify the effect of PMDD in terms of quality-adjusted...

Global Research Update #2

Bello, Bamidele M et al. (2017)in a qualitative study Adolescent and Parental Reactions to Puberty in Nigeria and Kenya: A Cross-Cultural and and Intergenerational Comparison...

Global Research Update #1

Shoor (2017) in A study of knowledge, attitude, and practices of menstrual health among adolescent school girls in urban field practice area of medical college,...

New photo story: Men and Menstrual Health Management

Our September Newsletter is out!

We have kept busy during the summer and have had a a great deal of exiting activities! You can read all of our latest updates in...

WoMena is facilitating a menstrual health pilot intervention among adult volunteers in the Buikwe District

The Embassy of Iceland is currently working on education development in fishing communities in the district of Buikwe. One of the Embassy’s main areas in...

Road to Cape Town

“Cycling is, to me, the ultimate expression of freedom. WoMena tries to achieve the same level of freedom for girls and women regardless of their...

2017 Menstrual Hygiene Day in Uganda

Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) is a global platform that brings together non-profits, government agencies, the private sector, the media and individuals to promote Menstrual...

WoMena is testing innovative menstrual cup distribution models in Uganda

With the support from the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition’s Innovation Fund WoMena is testing four innovative menstrual cup distribution models in Uganda. The different sales models...

Happy Menstrual Hygiene Day!

Today 28th of May, Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated worldwide to break taboos and promote education on menstruation. WoMena is celebrating this day with...

“Drivers and challenges to use of menstrual cups among schoolgirls in rural Uganda” – new study by the WoMena team!

We are very proud to announce that members of our very own WoMena team have just published a new article in Waterlines. The article studies...

2017 is looking bright for WoMena!

For 2017, we have many promising new projects lined up already! We will continue the roll out of the MCMAP evaluation with partners as well...

The Ruby Cup For Beginners

Watch this great video of a menstrual cup user and pharmacist Angela Semanda from Uganda and learn all the essentials on why and how to...

WoMena Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The Annual General Meeting takes place on Wednesday the 30th November, 5-7pm CET, 7-9pm EAT. Joining the meeting For those joining in person, the office...

Meet the Team – Wiston Karisa

This time around we had a quick chat with our team member Wiston! Hello, Wiston! Nice to meet you! Where are you based, and what...

WoMena joined up with BRAC to organise menstrual health training

Last month, WoMena organised a number of menstrual health trainings in Uganda together with the NGO BRAC. The trainings were divided into two parts and...

Menstrual Hygiene Day 2016

Here are some pictures from Menstrual Hygiene Day 2016, in which WoMena was honored to participate as member of Uganda’s National Menstrual Hygiene Management Steering...

Meet the Team – Meth Reeves Salanjaye

Today, it is our pleasure to introduce you to one of our amazing team members,Meth Reeves Salanjaye! Hello, Meth! Nice to meet you. Where are you based,...

Enter a photo competition on the theme “Ugandan Dads!”

CALLING ALL UGANDAN MEN! The theme for Uganda’s Menstrual Hygiene Day 2016 is: “Menstruation matters for Everyone Everywhere – Father Figures, its your turn.” Here’s...

Meet the WoMena Team: Simone Kjær Jensen

This is part of WoMena’s Meet the Team series, to introduce you to the wonderful people who carry out our mission on a day-to-day basis. Today, it...

Working for lower prices on menstrual cups in Uganda

There is a perception that menstrual cups are too expensive to move from solely a “donor donation-driven” supply chain to commercial or subsidised channels....

Buy One, Give Two Ruby Cups!

If you were thinking of purchasing a menstrual cup for yourself or for a girl or woman in your life, right now is the perfect time! Let...

We are presenting in RHSC’s webinar!

The Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC) is a global partnership of public, private, and non-governmental organizations dedicated to ensuring that all people in low- and...

Ask Without Shame menstrual/reproductive health and menstrual cup app/hotline

WoMena is partnering with SINA in providing menstrual health and menstrual cup user information through Ask Without Shame to allow menstrual cup users an additional...

WoMena recieves the Danish Association for Public Health Graduates FKFSV (Foreningen for Kandidater i Folkesundhedsvidenskab) Prize

The Danish Association for Public Health Graduates FKFSV (Foreningen for Kandidater i Folkesundhedsvidenskab) Prize is awarded annually to a member of the Association who has...

MUST collaboration visit 1-2 October 2015

On the 1st and 2nd of October, members of the WoMena team (Marianne, Simona and Laura, accompanied by Brian our amazing WoMena contact person in...

WoMena Internship programme

We have several potential projects, collaborations and ideas in the pipeline and there is a lot of work to be done. We also appreciate that...

MHM Day 2015

Menstrual Hygiene Day serves as a neutral platform to bring together individuals, organisations, social businesses and the media to create a united and strong voice for...

We contributed to the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights policy background document developed by the Platform on Human Health (PHH)

The Platform on Human Health (PHH) is a network of universities and other institutions involved in tertiary education and “Research for Health” in Denmark and...

Welcome: WoMena interns

WoMena is very pleased to welcome our two interns, Elisabeth and Camilla. Elisabeth and Camilla are currently based in Gulu, Uganda, to support and perform...

Welcome: Louise Bergmann Sørensen

We warmly welcome our new member – PhD student Louise Bergmann Sørensen, currently working at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of...

Welcome: Kristine Dandanell Garn

WoMena warmly welcomes new member – Kristine Dandanell Garn, currently working with UNICEF in Mozambique. Kristine has a public health background from the University of...

Publication: Pilot study report on menstrual cups for vulnerable young women in Uganda

We are pleased to present the results of our first collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society and Makit / Ruby Cup: “Pilot Study Report:...

Plans on track for menstrual cup pilot study focusing on Ugandan schoolgirls

Plans are on track to do the first menstrual cup pilot study for school girls in Gulu, Uganda. The study will be focusing on acceptability,...

Publication: Use of injectable hormonal contraceptives in Uganda

“Use of injectable hormonal contraceptives: diverging perspectives of women and men, service providers and policymakers in Uganda”, authored by two WoMena members and published in...