Students from five schools in Moldova will gain access to education and health services, a supportive learning environment, and free menstrual hygiene products through the EduLIFE School Program, which is being expanded based on a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Education and Research, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Felicia Foundation, founded by a private pharmaceutical company from Moldova. In this regard, the three parties signed a three-year collaboration memorandum today.
The EduLIFE School Program was piloted by UNFPA and the Ministry of Education and Research in partnership with the Youth Media Centre and the platform suntprinte.md in four general educational institutions in 2023. The program involves investments in creating a student-friendly environment by modernizing a classroom, renovating the medical office and the school psychologist’s office, providing access to education on sexual and reproductive health, and offering free menstrual hygiene products.
As a result of this partnership, the Felicia Foundation will contribute to expanding the model to two additional schools by investing in the renovation of medical offices. Additionally, these two schools, along with three others, will be equipped with dispensers and free menstrual pads for the entire school year.
"We are pleased to have business companies on board for the expansion of the EduLIFE program. There is much work to be done in this area, and it is welcome that we join efforts to reach as many schools as possible with products and information about menstrual hygiene," said Dan Perciun, Minister of Education and Research.
In turn, Natalia Sturza, CEO of the Felicia Group, referred to the role of a friendly environment in the harmonious development of students. "The expansion of the EduLIFE program is more than an initiative for us – it is a commitment to the healthy future of our girls. We want every girl to feel confident and supported, having access to menstrual hygiene products and a friendly learning environment. Together with the Ministry of Education and Research and UNFPA, we aim to create better conditions so that all students grow up healthy and full of confidence."
The EduLIFE School concept is a multidimensional approach aimed at strengthening the potential of educational institutions to contribute to students' well-being and life skills development. It encourages healthy and non-violent behaviors and promotes equal learning opportunities for both girls and boys.
In just three months after installing menstrual hygiene product boxes in the four pilot schools, the percentage of girls who missed school at least once due to menstruation-related causes significantly dropped (from 55% to 12.5%).
UNFPA and the Ministry of Education and Research reaffirm their strategic commitment to health education, including menstrual health, as an essential component of girls' health and well-being. The partnership with the Felicia Foundation reinforces this effort and underscores the fact that menstrual hygiene education is not only a necessity but also an investment in empowering girls to manage their menstruation with dignity," said Karina Nersesyan, UNFPA Resident Representative in Moldova.
Previously, UNFPA and the Felicia Foundation collaborated on a program that provided information to women, youth, and parents regarding reproductive health and communication without stereotypes on this topic.
Throughout September, UNFPA is equipping more than 130 general education institutions across the country with dispensers (boxes) with menstrual pads, which will be offered free to students for the entire school year.
