The Flaviana Matata Foundation (FMF) is a nonprofit organization working to advance adolescent girls’ well-being in Tanzania. With targeted programs focused on menstrual health and hygiene (MHH), sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and prevention of violence, FMF equips girls with the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to thrive. Since its inception, FMF has reached more than 400,000 girls and community members through education, advocacy, and access to essential resources, creating safer and more equitable environments for girls to learn, grow, and lead.
In Tanzania, girls face significant barriers due to socio-cultural norms, gender inequality, and limited access to menstrual hygiene products. Period poverty alone leads to an estimated three to four days of missed school per month for girls, contributing to absenteeism, increased high school dropout rates, and diminished future opportunities. The lack of accurate information, safe spaces, and stigma around menstruation further exacerbates these challenges, especially in underserved regions like Njombe and Shinyanga.
With support from the Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund, FMF will implement a comprehensive project to improve menstrual health outcomes and school retention for adolescent girls in these regions. The initiative will establish school-based clubs, train 22 teachers and 22 youth leaders, and reach 3,000 students through workshops on MHH and SRHR. The project will also provide regular distribution of sanitary pads, strengthen peer support systems, and engage more than 2,100 additional community members—including boys, parents, and educators—to promote gender equity and reduce stigma.
By creating supportive school and community environments, FMF aims to reduce menstruation-related absenteeism and empower 4,500 adolescent girls to stay in school, manage their health with dignity, and reach their full potential. The project’s community-led model ensures long-term sustainability through partnership with civil society organizations and local leadership.
To learn more about the Flaviana Matata Foundation, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
See more projects: Africa, Health & Wellbeing, Leadership & Life Skills Development, Menstrual Health