Jac Torres Gomez Crimson Movement

1. The Purse PadProjectExploring the feasibility of reusable sanitary pads in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands Jac Torres Gomez Crimson Movement

3. Project Aim • Design and ‘road test’ a reusable sanitary pad made from second-hand clothing • Determine if this was a feasible alternative to disposable sanitary pads • Explore and highlight links between menstruation and women’s empowerment and equality in the Pacific context.

4. Project Background • Launched Crimson Movement (Crimson Campaign) • In–country research PNG highlands around barriers to young women's leadership • Seed Funding for Project • Further investigation barriers & practical solutions • Inclusion of SI in project • Project expanded to two-country feasibility study

5. What We Did – Feasibility Study • Link in with local women’s orgs • Design of Prototype • Design of Resource • Visit to SI – workshops and focus groups • Visit to PNG – workshops and focus groups • Final Report

6. Findings • Purse Pads: • Feasible for women with restricted access to commercial pads • Must be introduced as part of broader program of positive ed • Women are more likely to support if significantly cheaper • Not all have restricted access to commercially produced pads • Orgs/individuals wishing to support women to make and sell purse pads should do so through micro-loans (or similar) • Making the pads elsewhere (e.g. Australia) and giving to PNG and SI is unsustainable and strongly discouraged.

8. What’s Next • Translated resource into Tok Pigeon • Others rolling out project to rural PNG • Spoke on radio and TV about the project • Share resource & project with CD orgs & unis • Apply for grants for broader project rollout

9. Questions and Close