OUR IMPACT
Access. Education. Dignity.
How The Cova Project is transforming lives and breaking down barriers to menstrual health and gender equality.
What We Do
The Cova Project provides menstrual cups and menstrual health education to girls and women in developing communities around the world. We aim to bridge the school attendance gap caused period poverty. We create and distribute educational materials with accurate visual representation of the girls to build confidence as they strengthen their knowledge around personal health and development.
Our goal is simply: access, education and dignity. Keep girls in school. Boost their confidence. Help them understand their own bodies. Give them the opportunity to change the world.
The Problem We're Solving
Period poverty is a persistent barrier to gender equality and educational progress. When girls lack access to safe, dignified menstrual products, the consequences ripple through their lives and communities:
Economic Burden
In Malawi, the annual cost of sanitary pads equals the annual cost of school fees, meaning girls are twice as expensive to educate.
School Absenteeism
Girls miss up to 50 days of school per year due to their periods, often leading to dropping out entirely.
Health Risks
Without access to proper products, girls resort to unsafe alternatives like cloths, newspaper, and leaves, causing infections and health complications.
Transactional Sex
Some girls trade their bodies for period products, exposing them to exploitation, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
“If a girl is provided with menstrual health management tools, her chances of staying in school are 30-50 percent higher”
Why Menstrual Cups?
We've chosen menstrual cups as our solution because they're reusable, sustainable, and cost-effective. A single medical-grade silicone cup costs just $7 and can last up to 10 years. That means one cup can get a girl through her entire high school experience.
12-Hour Wear Time
Girls can wear the cup all day without worrying about unsuitable bathroom facilities or changing it at school.
10-Year Lifespan
One sustainable solution that lasts through secondary school and beyond.
Minimal Water
Requires only a small amount of water to clean, making it ideal for communities with water scarcity.
Works in All Climates
Unlike reusable pads, cups can dry easily in places with heavy wet seasons and require very little water for places with severe droughts.
We operate in two ways: by establishing our own projects in partnership with local NGOs and community advocates, and by providing cups to NGOs working on menstrual health, who otherwise wouldn't be able to distribute cups to the girls who need them.
Education is Everything
Providing cups alone isn't enough. Reproductive health education is vital for empowering girls and breaking down stigmas. As part of each cup distribution, we deliver a comprehensive 3-hour training session run by local community partners. Our educational booklets are available in local languages with visual instructions for communities with low literacy rates.
Follow-up is always provided to the girls post-distribution, to ensure they have ongoing support and an opportunity to ask questions. This improves cup uptake rates and increases project success. We're passionate about supporting our local partners and fostering outstanding local leaders who grow their skills and capabilities. The Cova Project invests in communities, not just outputs.
The Education Impact
Community sensitisation sessions to address cultural stigma
Menstrual cup training with practical demonstrations
Comprehensive reproductive and menstrual health education
Peer support networks between school girls (champions)
Multi-generational family engagement for lasting change
Ongoing follow-up sessions and troubleshooting support
One Cup. Ten Years. Infinite Impact.
A single menstrual cup can replace around 3,000 single-use period products over its 10-year lifespan. Multiply that by 38,000 cups distributed.
Real Stories of Change
"When I first received the cup, I had a huge doubt, but my first experience with the cup was magical. I felt so confident. I wasn't worried about leaking. I wasn't worried about changing it at school. Now I'm at secondary school and I'm thriving."
— Sonnie, age 17
"Since I started using the Flow Cup, I've felt more in control of my body. It's safe, reusable, and comfortable. I no longer have to choose between buying pads and other essential items like food or data bundles."
— Amina Nakitende, MUBS University, Uganda
"Since 2021, Irise and The Cova Project's support has transformed our school's academic performance, attendance and student confidence while empowering us to combat stigma and period poverty."
— Alimuwa Hellen, Senior Teacher, Bubugo School, Uganda
The 100% Model
Core donors cover our operating costs, so public donations go directly to cups and project work.
Core donors cover
- Wages
- Marketing
- Donation transaction costs
- Travel
Public donors fund
- Cup purchase
- Distribution
- Education
Our Vision for the Future
A clear pathway to scale, without compromising quality, community leadership, or outcomes.
Uganda is our epicentre for scale-up. With government support, partner infrastructure and proven implementation methods, we’re positioned to reach girls at risk in rural schools across the country.
We are distributing 8,000 menstrual cups to our partners across all programmes. This commitment underscores our dedication to sustained impact and continued momentum in the fight against period poverty.
Our Goals
- Scale Uganda operations whilst maintaining quality across all programmes
- Expand Australian project to additional states and regions
- Strengthen government partnerships in all countries
- Scale Cova Affiliate to enable 250+ partner organisations
- Raise $2.8 million (AUD) for Uganda expansion
- Build political advocacy to position menstrual cups as solutions to gender equity
Ready to Be Part of the Change?
Every cup distributed is a girl who stays in school. Every girl who stays in school is a community transformed. Access. Education. Dignity. It all starts here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. The Cova Project is a registered charity in Australia. All donations are tax deductible. You will receive an email receipt immediately after donating, and if you make a monthly gift you will receive monthly receipts via email and a Year-End Tax receipt.
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Menstrual cups are reusable, sustainable, and cost-effective. Made from 100% medical-grade silicon, a single cup lasts up to 10 years and costs just $7. They can be worn for 12 hours, don't require much water to clean, work in all climates, and come in two sizes to accommodate different body types. Most importantly, they provide girls with the confidence and security to stay in school.
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We don't just distribute cups, we provide comprehensive 3-hour training sessions, detailed educational materials with visual instructions, and ongoing follow-up support from local team members. Our team checks in regularly with girls, answers questions, and provides troubleshooting. This consistent support is what transforms cup acceptance from 60% to 90% by month three.
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We have provided menstrual cups to 38,000+ girls and women to date, operating across 4 countries (Liberia, Ghana, Uganda, and Australia). This year alone, our work prevented 1,520,000 days of school and work from being missed.
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We unlock every girl's right to a full and dignified life of their own choosing by providing tools that break down unnecessary barriers. By providing menstrual cups, comprehensive reproductive health education, community support, and mentorship from local leaders, we create the conditions for girls to stay in school, build confidence, improve self-esteem, and increase their aspirations. Over time, this leads to reduced stigma, better community support for teenage girls, and increased representation in the workforce and leadership roles.
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You can donate to support our work, volunteer, fundraise, become a monthly supporter, or partner with us if you work with a community-based organisation. Every cup costs approximately $7 to purchase and distribute with training. Even small gifts make a difference.
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