In the Indian state of Rajasthan, 30% of the population lives below the poverty line. The barriers faced by people living in poverty are disproportionately experienced by women and girls.  Gender discrimination at home and in school has led to approximately half of all girls in Rajasthan dropping out before entering secondary school.  Among the factors that contribute to drop out is the onset of menstruation.  UNICEF studies reveal that 25% of adolescent girls in India take time off school when menstruating due to lack of sanitation facilities, 71% are unaware of menstruation until it starts, and 1 in 5 drop out of school due to menstruation. In addition, families with already strained resources tend to show preference for their sons’ uniforms and school supplies over their daughters.  

One Day’s Wages partnered with Rajasthan Samgrah Kalyan Sansthan (RSKS) to address the unique needs of adolescent girls in Rajasthan’s Ajmer District.  Through our partnership, 1,025 girls received school supplies to reduce the financial burden of attending school, including: educational materials (school bags, notebooks, pens, pencils, books), a school uniform with shoes, and a hygiene kit (sanitary napkins, bucket, soap, toothbrush). Across 40 partner schools 2,100 girls also participated in monthly awareness and training sessions on health, menstrual hygiene, sexual and reproductive health, and gender equity.  As a result of these supports, 95% of girls attended school regularly and 99% reported feeling more confident!