Arjun Kaur Mittal, a student at North London Collegiate School Dubai and the founder of Her Needs Tanzania, is making significant strides in addressing menstrual health and youth empowerment in rural Tanzania. At just 16 years old, Arjun has already made bold moves to tackle critical issues in the region, particularly focusing on menstrual health and the empowerment of young people through sports.
Her foundation, Her Needs Tanzania, aims to provide sustainable access to sanitary pads for thousands of girls, ensuring they can attend school with dignity. This initiative also empowers youth through the transformative power of sports. Arjun’s journey began when she noticed that many girls were missing school due to the lack of affordable sanitary products, while children in her community lacked resources to pursue sports like football. These observations led her to establish Her Needs Tanzania.
Arjun is passionate about addressing menstrual health, an issue often overlooked but critical for girls' education. Many girls in rural Tanzania miss school during their periods due to the high cost and limited availability of sanitary products. Arjun’s mission is to eliminate this barrier to education. With limited resources, she built Her Needs on the principle that “every meaningful change starts with personal action.” Her foundation has become a lifeline for countless young girls, providing access to safe, affordable sanitary products.
Arjun developed a business model that not only provides sanitary products but also creates sustainable income for local women. She has advocated for changes to the taxation on sanitary products, making them unaffordable for many. Arjun even met with Tanzanian MPs, including Speaker Dr. Tulia Ackson, to push for reforms. Her foundation’s mission is clear: provide sanitary pads to girls who would otherwise rely on unsafe alternatives, such as leaves or cloth, which can cause infections and missed school days.
Last summer, Arjun organized a fundraising carnival in Arusha, raising $80,000. With this funding, Her Needs Tanzania is able to supply sanitary products to 20,000 girls in the Arusha region for the next three years, ensuring they don’t miss school because of their periods. Beyond menstrual health, Arjun is passionate about the transformative power of sports. She organized a 3-week football camp for 63 students from Sinon Primary School, providing them with a space to play and develop their skills, despite the lack of proper resources.
Arjun’s advocacy extends beyond grassroots work. She took her mission to the Tanzanian Parliament to push for systemic changes to the taxation of sanitary products. Although disillusioned by the inefficiency she witnessed, Arjun remains determined. Looking ahead, Arjun’s long-term goal is to eradicate period poverty across Tanzania. She plans to expand Her Needs by advocating for further tax reforms and launching educational workshops to combat the stigma around menstruation.
Arjun’s message is clear: with privilege comes responsibility. “We all have the power to make a difference,” she says. Through Her Needs Tanzania, she is proving that even small, personal actions can create 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.
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