Home » Beyond Pads: Lessons from the Frontlines of Menstrual Health Systems Change

Beyond Pads: Lessons from the Frontlines of Menstrual Health Systems Change

July 7, 2025

Woman's hand holding a locally designed Padmad reusable pad

“Now I can sit at the front of the class.”

This simple sentence by a 14-year-old girl after receiving a PadMad kit speaks volumes. It wasn’t just about the pad, it was about confidence, dignity and reclaiming space. That’s what systems change in menstrual health truly looks like.

In a powerful article published by Catalyst Now, our founder Madhvi Dalal reflects on the deep lessons PadMad has learned through years of work in Kenya’s underserved communities. With over 135,000 women and youth reached, our journey has been about more than products, it’s been about reimagining dignity through local leadership and innovation.

Why Period Poverty Is a Systems Problem

Over 65% of menstruators in Kenya can’t afford period products. Many miss up to four days of school each month. Others receive pads from unsafe sources. The root causes run deeper than lack of access, they’re about shame, silence, and inequality.

Environmental concerns add another layer: single-use products can take up to 500 years to decompose.

Addressing this crisis requires more than short-term fixes.

Check our solution

What We’ve Learned: 4 Key Insights from the PadMad Model

1. Start with the System, Not the Symptoms

Instead of just handing out pads, we asked: Why are they inaccessible? Why is menstruation still taboo?

Our response was holistic: from growing cotton locally to training tailors and peer educators, we designed a community-powered supply chain rooted in sustainability and empowerment.

2. Co-Creation Builds Dignity, Not Dependence

Too many interventions are handed down without consultation. At PadMad, we co-create with women and girls, from fabric choices to language use. When girls help shape the solution, they advocate for it. When mothers understand it, they protect it.

By genuinely incorporating their feedback, the process not only addresses problems but also restores pride and self-worth.

3. Measure What Matters

We count pads, but also track confidence. Stories from girls, changes in school culture, and letters from parents are data points too. Transformation isn’t always a number, sometimes it’s a girl joining a football team for the first time.

4. Share the Framework, Not Just the Brand

As we prepare to scale to Nigeria and Ethiopia, we’re not just exporting products, we’re sharing a flexible, adaptable framework that local leaders can own and customize. Sustainable change isn’t about staying in control, it’s about letting go and equipping others to lead.

The Bigger Picture: Dignity as a Driver of Justice

Menstrual equity is about more than pads. It’s about dignity, voice, and systemic fairness. When girls feel confident managing their periods, they stay in school, participate more fully, and challenge harmful norms. And when local communities lead these changes, the impact becomes lasting.