Many African girls miss school during their period, which can be the first step that leads to dropping out of school altogether. Education, however, is vital to development: educated girls get fewer children, later; and they spend the money they earn on health, education and nutrition for their families. Sanitary pads exist, but they are costly. Instead, many girls revert to putting rags in their undies during their period. And when sanitary pads are thrown into pit toilets, they clog up the system. Our product makes absorbent pads from papyrus and recycled paper. It can be manufactured locally, sterilised via the sun’s UV light, and sold cheaply. It doesn’t clog up pit latrines as much as ordinary pads, and empowers girls to go to school all year round.