Be Girl: A Reusable Menstrual Hygiene Product

A Hybrid Solution for Menstrual Health

Many cultures have deep-rooted beliefs and practices surrounding menstruation, often resulting in social norms that restrict women's lives. This has led to a global silence around menstrual health, leaving one of humanity's most urgent problems unresolved. Diana Sierra, CEO and Co-Founder of Be Girl, recognized this issue during her work with Millennium Promise in rural Uganda. The lack of access to menstrual management products was causing critical problems for girls and women in the community.

Be Girl is a hybrid menstrual hygiene management product that offers a unique solution. It consists of a washable waterproof pad holder/pouch that can be reused, giving women the option to use any safe absorbent disposable or reusable material. This flexibility allows the product to adapt to water availability and enables women to customize it according to local resources. The design combines the convenience and leak-proof performance of disposable sanitary pads with the affordability of reusable pads.

The pads are constructed using a simple layering and trim machine sewn binding technique, making them easy to mass-produce and manufacture locally. The pad holders are made of high-performance, extremely durable, 100% waterproof sports fabric, ensuring leak protection. Soft cotton trim along the borders protects the user's skin from irritation. The pads take less than 60 minutes to dry indoors using less than 1.25 liters of water to wash, making them suitable for areas with limited water resources. With proper care, a two-pad holder kit can last up to 2 years.

Be Girl's innovative design has been tested and validated through successful use pilots in Rwanda, Malawi, Uganda, and Tanzania. The feedback from 150 girls who used the product for up to a year has helped improve and refine its features, performance, ergonomics, and acceptability.

Overcoming cultural and societal barriers was a significant challenge in designing Be Girl. Many religions and cultures associate menstruating women with impurity or evil spirits, leading to limitations on their social participation and well-being. The absence of MHM products keeps millions of girls out of school due to fear of humiliation and retaliation. Be Girl aims to break these barriers by providing a solution that empowers women and gives them autonomy over their menstrual health.

Be Girl's pad holders are the first of their kind, offering a hybrid reusable and washable waterproof menstrual product. They can be attached to underwear like traditional sanitary pads and filled with any available safe disposable or reusable absorbent material. This unique design gives women the independence to adapt the product according to their resources, while also providing high performance, comfort, and ergonomics at a low cost.

Be Girl's commitment to addressing the global issue of menstrual health has been recognized with the Silver A' Design Award in 2015. This prestigious award celebrates designs that showcase outstanding expertise, innovation, and artistic skill, while also eliciting positive feelings and wonder.

Be Girl is not just a menstrual hygiene product; it is a symbol of empowerment, equality, and progress. By providing women with a sustainable and accessible solution, Be Girl is breaking the silence and transforming the lives of millions around the world.