The story is not about us.
It's about her.
Creating opportunities while tackling period poverty.
Who we are
Every day, women across South Africa face the combined impact of period poverty and unemployment. For many, limited income makes sanitary products difficult to afford, creating barriers to managing their periods with dignity and participating fully in school, work, and everyday life. These challenges are deeply connected, yet often addressed separately.
Girls With Wiings was founded to change that. We expand access to affordable sanitary products for homeless, underprivileged, and vulnerable women, and we create employment and skills development through the production of GWW Sanitary Pads. By addressing period poverty and unemployment together, we create pathways to dignity, opportunity, and lasting independence for women, families, and communities.
Our long-term vision
A world where no woman or girl is held back by period poverty or unemployment. We envision communities where every woman and girl can access the menstrual health products she needs to participate fully in education, work and community life, and where women facing hardship have access to dignified employment, skills development and sustainable economic opportunities. It is a future defined by dignity, inclusion, economic independence and equal access to opportunity.
Moments from our journey
A decade of restoring dignity
Since 2016, Girls With Wiings has expanded access to menstrual health, created employment opportunities for women, and built a model that addresses period poverty and unemployment together.
How we create change
Menstrual Health Access
We restore dignity by providing vulnerable women with consistent access to safe, hygienic menstrual health products.
Economic Empowerment
We create sustainable income opportunities by equipping women with skills and paid work through our pad production programme.
Advocacy & Community Mobilisation
We mobilise communities, corporates, and volunteers to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and drive collective action.
What guides our work
Dignity Begins With Access
We believe no woman or girl should be held back by period poverty. Access to menstrual health products is fundamental to dignity, health, confidence, and opportunity.
By expanding access and creating employment for women facing hardship, we help build stronger, healthier, more equitable communities.
Creating Lasting Change
We focus on solutions that create lasting impact. By addressing both period poverty and unemployment, we help women move towards sustainable employment, greater independence, and improved access to essential products.
Everyone Belongs. Everyone Is Seen.
We believe every woman and girl deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and belonging. We recognise their strengths, talents, and potential, and create opportunities that enable them to thrive.
We Value Understanding Over Quick Wins
We believe lasting solutions begin with listening. By understanding the realities faced by the women and girls we serve, we develop practical, community-informed responses that create meaningful impact.
Be part of the story
Volunteer, donate or order GWW Pads. Help us restore dignity, one woman at a time.
Get involved