Two Tweed Heads women are making a global impact by supporting disadvantaged girls and women through menstrual health education and the distribution of period dignity kits.
Co-founder Celi Harper told The Echo, “Chupis, an all-women’s charity, was born right here in the Tweed, and has grown to support girls and young women across Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, as well as in remote Indigenous communities in Australia.”
She says, “In Africa, Chupis focuses on addressing period poverty by providing dignity kits – including reusable pads, underwear, and soap – alongside essential menstrual health education. For many communities, this is the first time girls and women have had access to safe, sustainable menstrual products, enabling them to attend school and manage their periods with dignity”.
“A unique aspect of Chupis’ work is the way it compares and connects the experiences of girls across continents. Despite vast cultural and geographic differences, the challenges faced by girls in Africa and Australia – including stigma, lack of access, and limited education – are often strikingly similar. In both contexts, when products are unavailable, girls may resort to using makeshift materials, highlighting a shared and often hidden reality of period poverty’.
Celi says, “In Australia, co-founder Raya, a Warumungu woman from the Northern Territory, leads the development of culturally safe menstrual health programs. These programs are co-designed with communities and grounded in the lived experiences of Aboriginal women and girls, ensuring they are relevant, respectful, and responsive”.
“Chupis also promotes sustainability by providing reusable menstrual products, reducing waste while offering long-term solutions to menstrual health management.
“Looking ahead, Chupis aims to develop washable period underwear designed by local African and Indigenous artists. These garments will not only provide sustainable solutions but also celebrate culture, empower women, and share powerful stories through design.
“From educational barriers to affordability and access, Chupis is committed to ensuring that all who menstruate can do so with dignity,” the founders said. “By providing hygiene kits and education, we are helping to build confidence, break stigma, and create lasting change,” Celi adds.
To get involved, volunteer, or support the cause – especially in the lead-up to Menstrual Health Day on 28 May – visit: https://chupis.org
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