FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 Have a question about what we do, how we do it, and why we do it? Read our FAQ to learn about all things SHE!

What is a social enterprise?

A social enterprise is a for-profit business that has a direct social impact in the communities it works with. 

Wait, I thought SHE was a nonprofit?

Yes, SHE Global is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, responsible for raising funds for the SHE28 initiative in Rwanda. SHE Rwanda locally produces and sells go! pads for profit as a business making it a social enterprise.

What is a go! pad?

The go! pad is SHE's core product, an environmentally conscious menstrual pad made for women and girls in need of an affordable solution to expensive and inaccessible menstrual products.

How is the go! pad made?

The go! pad is made starting with banana fiber that has been processed, cut, washed, solar dried, and fluffed. Click this question title to watch a video of the process! 

Why banana fiber?

Banana farmers throw away tons of banana plant trunks every year. Our SHE28 initiative provides farmers with training and machines to extract the fiber from the trunks. Farmers can then sell us the processed fiber that we use to make the absorbent portion of our go! pad. 

Are the pads biodegradable?

100% of the absorbent core is biodegradable so at some point within a given amount of years, the fibers will no longer exist. So if we do the math, about 85% of the go! pad is banana fiber. 

Why not make the entire pad biodegradable?

Our #1 goal is providing girls and women with access to an essential health product. SHE's model requires costs to remain low to keep the price of go! pads low too! Unfortunately, if we were to make the entire go! pad and packaging biodegradable it would no longer be at an affordable price point for women and girls in rural communities.   

Who makes the pads?

Employing members of the community to manufacture, distribute, and sell go! pads is a key component of SHE's holistic model. The result? Not only do women and girls benefit but Rwandan industries and the local economy benefits as well.  

Who buys the pads?

We have sold to schools, NGOs, small village shops (called kiosks), community members at market days, women's networks, and directly to women and girls.

What is MHM and why does it matter?

MHM stands for Menstrual Hygiene Management. MHM is about awareness and education for using hygienic menstrual products and managing one's period to ensure full participation in work and school. Why is it important? It is important for women and girls to maintain good reproductive health and to ensure no girl has to use a rag during her period. 

Does SHE make anything else?

The go! pad is SHE's core product. In addition to go! pads,  SHE has conducted hygiene education trainings with our unique MHM curriculum and has facilitated community led advocacy events to sustain MHM awareness among millions of people. 

Why Rwanda?

SHE started in Rwanda after our founder recognized a need for affordable menstrual pads among women in the workforce and girls in school. Rwanda presented an opportunity to work with already established women's networks as the foundation for the SHE28 initiative. Click the question title to hear SHE's Founder story.