Binti Mwangaza is a non-profit community-based organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable women and girls in Kenya. Our mission is to provide sustainable solutions that empower women and young adults, ensuring their financial independence and access to basic health and hygiene resources. Our vision is to create a world where women and young adults have equal opportunities to develop their talents, hobbies, and ideas in order to thrive.
Binti Mwangaza was founded in 2012 by Ann, who, while working for a women-led microfinance institution in western Kenya, discovered that many girls were missing school due to the inability to afford sanitary towels. Many families in Kenya, especially in rural areas, survive hand to mouth on daily wages of Ksh. 200 (about 2 dollars), barely enough to cover food, housing, and school fees. For many, the difficult choice between food and sanitary products leads to young girls resorting to unsafe alternatives such as old mattress pieces, clothes, and even leaves. This lack of access results in stigmatization, exclusion from education, and vulnerability to early marriages, exploitation, and abuse.
Without proper menstrual hygiene products, many girls face physical, emotional, and psychological challenges, with some being forced into transactional relationships just to afford basic supplies. Menstruation is a natural process, yet millions of women and girls globally are victims of systematic inequalities that prevent them from living with dignity and freedom.
Since its inception, Binti Mwangaza has manufactured and distributed over 20,000 reusable sanitary pads and provided menstrual health and hygiene education to schools in Laikipia and Meru counties. Our impact is evident in schools like Machungulu Day Secondary School, where absenteeism due to menstruation has significantly decreased. Inspired by these success stories, we are committed to advocating for policy changes in Kenya to ensure all girls in need have access to proper menstrual management products.
Beyond menstrual health, we have implemented other programs, such as the Hold My Hand Initiative (HmH), which provides women and young adults with skills to attain financial freedom, and the Water and Sanitation Program (WASH), which addresses daily challenges related to access to clean water and sanitation facilities.