Women Begin to Speak of Their Future - An Update on the Menstrual Hygiene Management Project

Five Months In: Change Is Taking Root in the Village

In Mirab Abaya district in southern Ethiopia, HOPE has been running a project since March 2026 to promote menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and support women's self-reliance. Five months since the project began, a change is emerging in the village: women are beginning to speak about "their own future."

This report shares what we saw among the women of Ankober village during our visit in July.

*For more details about the project, please see our previous blog post.

Empowering Girls in Ethiopia Through Menstrual Health »

Deep-Rooted Taboos Around Menstruation and Women's Daily Lives

In this region, menstruation is still strongly regarded as taboo.



• Women must not care for livestock during menstruation
• They must not harvest spices
• They must not make butter or cheese

These customs place major restrictions on women's daily lives. For women who are responsible for housework and childcare, the many restrictions tied to menstruation also affect their opportunities to work and earn an income.

When we asked women in the village, "What is your dream for the future?" or "What are your goals going forward?" many said, "I've never thought about it, so it's hard to answer."

Helping Women Dream of the Future and Choose Their Own Path

To help women build their own livelihoods, HOPE has organized women into Self Help Groups (SHGs). Through the SHGs, members learn about menstrual hygiene management, save money together, and prepare to start small businesses.

Meeting regularly also gives women a chance to support one another and think about their own futures and goals.

Through their SHG activities, women are gradually forming goals and taking their first steps toward achieving them.

Change Beginning to Take Shape in Ankober Village

In July, we visited "Selam" (meaning "peace"), an SHG in Ankober village. Formed in April, the group's 16 members meet once a week for group savings, menstrual hygiene management education, and training toward small businesses.

This particular meeting took place at 7 a.m. on a Saturday, before the day's household chores began.

It was already their 14th regular meeting, and nearly all members attend each time, except when it's truly unavoidable.

The women in the group are gradually discovering what they want to do.

Mekbib

Nacefa

Holding onto the belief that they might be able to improve their own lives, these women make time each week - even amid busy days - to attend the meetings and work toward their individual goals.

What's Next for the Project

The Selam group's activities have only just begun. Over the project's remaining two and a half years, we will continue to watch how these women's changes unfold.

Alongside the SHG activities, the project as a whole is also advancing the following efforts:

• Preparing to introduce menstrual hygiene management education in schools
• Improving sanitation facilities, including new toilets, so that girls can attend school with peace of mind

By advancing both support for women's self-reliance and the creation of a safe learning environment for girls, we aim to encourage change across the entire community. We will continue to share updates on the progress of each initiative and the changes taking shape on the ground.

HOPE's activities are supported by your donations.