**Actress Stephanie March Launches Initiative to Combat Period Poverty in Kenya**
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Stephanie March, the actress known for her advocacy work, has co-founded GalCare, an innovative manufacturing enterprise dedicated to producing quality menstrual products for women in need. The establishment of GalCare marks a significant step towards tackling period poverty, a pressing issue highlighted by the United Nations, which describes it as the inability to access affordable menstrual hygiene products and related support.
On 5 March, GalCare unveiled its first fully-automated factory located in Mbita, Kenya. This facility aims to manufacture high-quality menstrual products and is expected to serve approximately 500,000 women over the next three years. March, who has been actively involved in social initiatives, hopes that this venture will help elevate the lives of women in the region and beyond.
Highlighting the grassroots nature of the initiative, March stated, “We took an amazing idea, A, and we put it in contact with B.” Her reference to working collaboratively with local women underscores GalCare’s commitment to empowering those directly impacted by period poverty. The enterprise began as a microplant in Mbita, initially designed to supply sanitary pads to local schools, demonstrating the importance of community engagement in addressing this crucial issue.
GalCare was established alongside co-founders Tracy McCubbin and Peter McOdida, the latter being a public health expert well-acquainted with the challenges faced by women in Kenya. Thanks to McOdida’s connections, the team was able to engage with local women who were instrumental to the project’s development. March explained, “We want to build a fully profitable, sustainable business that we can then hand off to the minds behind it: these amazing local women.”
Despite starting with charitable donations to fund the factory, March has reiterated the need for the operation to evolve into a fully for-profit venture, driven and owned by local women, whom the founders refer to as “ChangeMakers.” March explained the rationale behind this approach: “Find a smart woman working on the ground — hyper locally — give her what she needs to get things done, and then get out of her way. It’s about sustainability.”
The factory’s operation is not only focused on the production of sanitary pads but also on the development of the workforce. March emphasised the necessity of proper training for women so they can transition from manual labour to skilled roles within the manufacturing process. As she noted, “These women are so smart; they should not be manually making sanitary pads. They need proper job training to run a business.”
The grand opening of the factory included a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries and community members, further solidifying the project’s local roots. The new factory is set to significantly improve menstrual health accessibility in an area where a staggering 60% of women lack access to affordable sanitary products. March remarked, “It’s crazy that in today’s world, something as fundamental as menstrual products is often out of reach for so many.”
March’s connection to Kenya dates back nearly two decades, during which she has witnessed the evolving landscape regarding women’s health and empowerment. GalCare’s future visions extend beyond Mbita, with plans to expand into other East African regions. She expressed enthusiasm for the transformative potential of this model: “I am so excited about this project because it is replicable and sustainable. The planets have finally aligned with these young, really smart women.”
In her observations, March noted that addressing such seemingly small yet impactful issues through local initiatives can lead to lasting change. “Working hyper-locally on a seemingly small but very solvable problem is actually a much more effective, community-driven way to make change,” she asserted, reflecting her conviction that connecting local ideas with support can lead to monumental progress.
With GalCare, March aims to redefine the narrative surrounding period poverty, transforming it from a simple need into a sector that empowers women while fostering economic independence. For further information on GalCare and its mission, interested individuals can visit their official site at galcare.org.