Focus Area
Health, Education, and Women’s Empowerment
Location
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Beneficiaries
One Girl, in partnership with Restless Development Sierra Leone
Safavi's Role
Partner-funded support for menstrual hygiene access and education
Key Impact
Increased access to biodegradable sanitary pads, training for female leaders, and reduced absenteeism among school-aged girls during menstruation
Project Overview
LaunchPad – Menstrual Hygiene Access and Training
The LaunchPad program was developed to address the lack of safe, hygienic menstrual health options for women and girls in Sierra Leone. Research conducted in 2010 revealed that only 10% of women and girls surveyed had ever heard of sanitary pads. In response, One Girl created LaunchPad to provide access to affordable sanitary products while equipping women and girls with menstrual health education.
In collaboration with Restless Development Sierra Leone, the program trained female leaders—known as LaunchPad Champions—to distribute biodegradable sanitary pads within their communities and lead awareness efforts. These Champions received training in business skills, financial literacy, and menstrual health management.
The project also supplies sanitary pads to girls enrolled in One Girl’s Scholarship Program, helping ensure they remain in school year-round.
Beneficiary Profile
The LaunchPad initiative benefits women and girls across five rural communities and the capital city of Freetown. It helps address challenges associated with unsafe menstrual practices and resulting health conditions, such as rashes and infections, while supporting school retention for adolescent girls. Trained female leaders also gain income and community leadership experience.
Safavi's Role
The Safavi Philanthropic Initiative contributed to LaunchPad’s ongoing operations in Sierra Leone by supporting training, distribution, and educational programming. Funding helped expand access to sanitary products and strengthen community-based outreach models for menstrual health awareness.
Media
Project Gallery
Photo Credit: One Girl
Impact Achieved
With support from Safavi and other partners:
15 LaunchPad Champions were trained across 5 rural communities and Freetown
Affordable, biodegradable sanitary pads were made available in local markets
Community leaders received training in business management, menstrual hygiene, and financial literacy
Awareness of menstrual health improved across participating regions
Girls in the Scholarship Program gained consistent access to menstrual products, helping reduce school absenteeism
Purpose & Signifigance
LaunchPad directly addresses a key barrier to education and health equity for girls and women in Sierra Leone. By supporting community-driven sanitary pad distribution and education, the initiative contributes to long-term behavioral and health improvements, while promoting local leadership by women.
Future Outlook
The LaunchPad model continues to evolve through community-led adaptations. In the community of Maworr, women formed a savings group using LaunchPad proceeds to fund emergency grants for food, school fees, and medical care. This grassroots extension of the project demonstrates potential for replication in other communities. The program remains active and adaptive under the leadership of One Girl and its local partners.
