Educating for Menstrual Equity in Cambodia

Menstrual Health Education in Cambodia Project:

This year marked the second in a three-year project Days for Girls is conducting with the Cambodian Government’s Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport to increase access to menstrual health education across the country. We are equipping local teachers with the educational tools and skills they need to teach the DfG menstrual health curriculum confidently to their students. 

Our goals for 2025 are to:

1. Train at least 200 teachers through our Training of Educators (ToE) Program;
2. Reach at least 7,000 students through MH education tailored to the Cambodian context; and
3. Distribute at least 3,500 locally produced DfG Kits to girls and their teachers. 

In 2024, DfG:

• Provided Cambodian ToT programming to 256 school-based teachers and trainee teachers in 41 educational institutions
• Delivered 892.5 hours of MH lessons, reaching 6,040 students (3,308 girls and 2,732 boys) across 39 schools in Ratanakiri province
• Provided locally-made washable menstrual pad Kits to 3,345 participating female students and teachers in 41 educational institutions

After participating in DfG’s educator training, one female teacher said,

• “DfG is a part of my heart because they empowered me with knowledge that I can share with my students…. In the past, I believed menstruation was a secret that should not be shared, especially with boys. However, participating in the DfG training illuminated the fact that menstruation is a natural part of womanhood that cannot be avoided and should be understood by everyone, including men. Now, I am confident in sharing the information I learned with my students.”

After participating in DfG’s MH Education session, one student shared:

• “I will share this information with my younger sisters, friends, and anyone else who is unaware. I can advise younger girls when they get their first period, explaining how to use menstrual products, maintain hygiene, and address common misconceptions. If boys ask me, I will share information with them as well. I also plan to share on Facebook, posting about menstrual hygiene and other related topics.” -Female student, Borkeo

This project is shifting national attitudes and cultivating a culture of period positivity.