How P&G is helping protect the futures of young girls across the world
Every girl knows that when you get your period, it sucks. Who wants to feel cramped-up and bloated all day long? It’s no fun hiding your tampon or pad up your sleeve and sneaking your way off to the bathroom without anyone noticing in class, either. While all of these things can make you feel embarrassed and a little uncomfortable, imagine what it would be like if you didn’t have access to these sanitary materials.
This is a little-known issue that affects girls in southern Africa and other developing regions globally. Without access to sanitary materials and the necessary resources needed to help manage their periods, girls can miss up to four days of school each month and in some cases may end up falling far behind in their studies, they ultimately drop out.
The Protecting Futures program was created by P&G’s Tampax and Always brands in 2007 in order to raise awareness about these issues and help vulnerable girls stay in school. The Protecting Futures program is just one of three charities that P&G’s GIVE HEALTH Program, a P&G Live, Learn and Thrive™ Initiative, has set up to donate to children. For every coupon redeemed from P&G’s brandSAVER coupon book, which appeared in 55 million U.S. newspapers on March 1 and April 5, P&G will also donate to Pampers Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Global Campaign and PUR Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, with the goal of reaching $1 million by this summer’s end.
“Along with our partners, the Protecting Futures program aims to help these girls to stay in school by providing them with knowledge about puberty, healthy hygiene practices, and improved sanitation facilities,” says Michelle Vaeth, Protecting Futures Program Director, Procter and Gamble. “Our puberty education program has a strong focus on educating girls about the natural changes in their body and equips them with a number of necessary tools needed in order to confidently attend school while menstruating”. By the end of 2009 the Protecting Futures program is expected to reach approximately 115,000 girls in 17 countries, with the goal of reaching 1 million girls by 2012.
Simply by buying the very same Tampax and Always products that you use every month, you can also help other girls reach their maximum potential in school. Sure, you may still have those massive mood swings, but at least you’ll be proud to know that you’re helping protect someone else’s future along with your own. “Young girls who support Tampax and Always products are part of the movement to help girls like them get the education they deserve in addition to raising awareness about the issue,” says Vaeth. “Some girls in the U.S. have been inspired by hosting school lock-ins, product drives and even creating a Facebook fan page for Protecting Futures.”
For more information about Protecting Futures, go to www.protectingfutures.com or visit www.pggivehealth.org.
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