Empowering girls and transforming communities - News

Arjun Kaur Mittal is a Hale Education student at North London Collegiate School Dubai and the founder of Her Needs Tanzania, a foundation focused on providing menstrual products in rural Tanzania and empowering girls through education and sports.

Young changemaker Arjun Kaur Mittal is not an ordinary high school student. At just 16 years old, he took bold steps to tackle pressing problems in rural Tanzania; focused specifically on menstrual health and youth empowerment. Her Needs Tanzania foundation aims to provide thousands of young girls with sustainable access to sanitary pads, ensuring they can attend school with dignity, while also empowering young people through the power of sport.

Arjun’s journey began when he realized that many girls were unable to attend school due to a lack of affordable hygiene products, while children in his community lacked the resources to participate in sports such as football. These were not just logistical problems, but signs of the deeper inequalities he felt he had to combat. From this journey Her Needs Tanzania was born.

Passionate about making a difference, Arjun focused on menstrual health, a critical but often overlooked topic. Many girls in rural Tanzania miss school during their periods due to the high cost and limited availability of hygiene products. Arjun’s mission is to eliminate this barrier to education. With limited resources, he built his Needs on the principle that “every meaningful change begins with personal action.” Her foundation has become a lifeline for countless young girls, providing access to safe, affordable hygienic products.

Arjun has developed a business model that not only provides hygienic products but also provides sustainable income to local women. By advocating for changes to taxation on hygiene products, making them unaffordable for most, he called on the Speaker of the House, Dr. He even met with Tanzanian MPs, including Tulia Ackson.

Her foundation’s mission is clear: to provide sanitary pads to girls whose reliance on unsafe alternatives like sheets or cloth can lead to infections and missed school days. “It’s shocking that in 2024, girls still have to choose between education and managing their periods,” says Arjun. Her project also raises awareness and educates girls about menstrual hygiene.

Last summer, Arjun organized a fundraising carnival in Arusha, bringing together local businesses and donors to raise $80,000. With this funding, Every Needs Tanzania will be able to supply sanitary products to 20,000 girls in the Arusha region over the next three years, ensuring they do not miss school due to their periods.

Beyond menstrual health, Arjun is passionate about the transformative power of sports. He organized a 3-week football camp for 63 students at Sinon Primary School, providing them with a place to play and develop their skills despite the lack of appropriate resources. “These students face challenges that most of us cannot even imagine, but through football they have found joy and freedom,” explains Arjun. His experience coaching youth teams at his school inspired this camp, where he saw the emotional and physical benefits of sports.

Arjun’s advocacy goes beyond grassroots work. He took his position to the Tanzanian Parliament to press for systemic changes in the taxation of hygiene products. Although frustrated by the inefficiency he witnessed, Arjun remains determined. “Sometimes it’s the little woman who has to push the big woman to make decisions that help all women,” she says.

Looking ahead, Arjun’s long-term goal is to eliminate period poverty in Tanzania. She plans to expand Needs by advocating for more tax reform and launching educational workshops to combat the stigma surrounding menstruation. It aims to collaborate with larger NGOs and government agencies to ensure more girls across Africa have access to basic resources.

Arjun’s message is clear: With privilege comes responsibility. “We all have the power to make a difference,” he says. Through Tanzania, their need proves that even small, personal actions can have a lasting impact and change lives. Arjun Kaur Mittal is a name to watch as her work continues to challenge deep-rooted inequalities and uplift communities in Tanzania.

“If you are a young student passionate about making a difference in the UAE, Her Needs Tanzania now welcomes ambassadors who want to be mentored and empowered to create their own impactful projects. With my support, guidance and mentorship, we can transform your ideas into meaningful change, just like Tanzania’s Needs. Arjun , He says he is attempting to advocate for the expansion of his needs.

A Staff Reporter

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