Menstrual Health Equity for Women in Lebanon

• 2 waterproof shields,
• 8 flannel liners,
• 2 baggies,
• 1 soap,
• 1 washcloth,
• 2 underpants, one cloth drawstring bag.

The DfG Kit costs $12-$15 to create. Small but mighty. As 2016 comes to a close, we reflect on the impact our project has made for Syrian women.

Over the last year, we were able to get 3,140 DfG Kits to women in need throughout Lebanon. Partners like ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid), IRC, Akkar Network for Development, and Mercy Corps made it possible to get DfG Kits into informal refugee settlements and remote areas where it would not have been possible otherwise. Over 100 women have been trained to sew DfG shields for themselves and family/friends, and our friends at ANERA have created two micro-enterprises to help get DfG Kits to women quicker than waiting for volunteers to bring them from abroad! Not only will these women help their sisters in need, they will be earning a small income for themselves as well.

In the year ahead, we will continue to distribute and support Syrian women who have fled to Lebanon, but we will be expanding our reach. As 2016 ends, we have been busily working to connect with new partners in Turkey, Jordan, Greece, and inside Syria itself. Some of our goals for 2017 include:

• Distribution at least 10,000 DfG Kits to Syrian refugees
• Assist the Lebanese micro-enterprises in expanding their production and creating a solid supply chain
• Partnerships with NGOs working in formal camps in Amman, Jordan
• Equip the Amel Association Community Center (Beirut) with sewing machines and fabrics for their beneficiaries to make their own DfG shields and liners (we have already trained a seamstress to teach there)
• Coordinate distriubutions with DfG Muscat and DfG Dubai, and assist them as needed financially for projects involving Syrian refugees in their countries
• And my personal goal: to get DfG Kits into the hands of the Syria Civil Defense's ("White Helmets") two all-female teams

The support of Global Giving donors has made all of this possible and will continue to keep us going through 2017 and beyond. The struggle for Syrian women today is enormous. We will ease their burden by giving them one less thing to worry about! We do not want any woman to have to decide between food and pads. We do not want any woman to feel undignified or unclean because of lack of sanitary supplies. We will be there.