HerFlow Foundation - Kingston
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The HerFlow Foundation, under the leadership of founder Shelly-Ann Weeks, has been a formidable advocate in the battle against period poverty, making substantial strides in improving the lives of Jamaican women and girls since 2016 through its ‘End Period Poverty JA’ campaign. It was Weeks' personal journey grappling with reproductive health issues that eventually led to the establishment of the HerFlow Foundation.
Research conducted by the HerFlow Foundation in 2018 revealed that a staggering 44 percent of Jamaican girls in public high schools struggle with period poverty – little or no access to products and other resources during menstruation. This situation results in absenteeism, reduced self-esteem, infections, and bullying, all while the associated social stigma perpetuates shame and inequality.
Since its inception in 2016, the HerFlow Foundation has played an instrumental role in the fight against period poverty by providing seven million free feminine hygiene products and establishing safe spaces for educating students on period poverty and menstrual hygiene. Through projects such as ‘End Period Poverty JA’, 'Celebrate Her,' the 'Live Safe' college tour, 'Leaders Who Bleed,' '#supporttheperiodsisterhood’, Period Awareness Day activities, and other initiatives, the foundation has made a significant impact on public schools, government homes, shelters, prisons, community organisations, and individuals in need. The crucial partnerships formed with a few and brands such as Always, Curves, Stayfree, Kotex, Confidence; as well as organisations including US Embassy, Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, Nurses Association of Jamaica, JMMB, VM Group, GrassRoots Community Foundation, and others - both locally and within the Jamaican Diaspora - have driven their success.
Guided by her great grandmother's profound wisdom, "no matter how little you have, there is always something to share," HerFlow's founder envisions a future where free menstrual products are accessible to all Jamaicans who need them, with female reproductive health education and resources integrated into social relief programmes.They have 5 main objectives:
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To ADVOCATE for Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health Education in All Jamaican schools
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To EMPOWER women and girls about their Reproductive Health and Rights
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To ADVOCATE for greater access to comprehensive Female Reproductive Health Care
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To END Period Poverty in Jamaica
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To EDUCATE by creating a comprehensive reference for Female Reproductive Health
5 Key Points About HerFlow Foundation:
- The HerFlow Foundation was established in 2016.
- The HerFlow Foundation was created to empower Jamaican women and girls through reproductive health education and access.
- Its flagship project is to end Period Poverty (the inability to afford menstrual products when needed) in Jamaica.
- They focus most of their work in schools ensuring students have a better understanding of reproductive health and ensuring that girls don't miss classes because of period poverty.
- So far, they have donated over 9,000,000 period products to schools, government run homes, prisons, shelters, community organizations and since 2022, clinics.
HerFlow’s Major accomplishments:
- Over 9million products donated
- Over 300 schools served
- Over 300 period workshops conducted
- Free menstrual products in 15 clinics as at 2022
- Over 2000 period books (It’s My Body. Period. written by Shelly-Ann Weeks) donated to schools
- Targeted inclusion of men and boys in Period Education
- Established Period Awareness Day – October 24 – in 2016 to combat the stigma and shame associated with periods
- All proceeds from this donation will be donated to the HerFlow Foundation with the purpose of raising funds to assist in ending Period Poverty through the donation of period products distributed to public schools in inner city and rural communities.
