A group of high school students from The Pennington School in New Jersey, USA, have taken a major step in their mission to support women and girls in Dzaleka. With legal assistance from international law firm Haynes Boone, the students secured a U.S. design patent for a reusable menstrual pad they developed through their Women in STEM Solving Problems (WISSP) club.
The menstrual pad was created to be affordable, long-lasting, and easily made using materials available locally. The goal: to empower girls to manage their periods with dignity, reduce school absenteeism, and create income-generating opportunities in the camp.
Since its launch, over 16,000 pads have been distributed in Malawi and beyond. More than 175 girls have participated in a sewing and maintenance program that teaches them to produce and care for the pads, reaching more than 1,600 individuals through their efforts.
The initiative has gained global recognition, including placements in the MIT Solve Global Challenge and HP's Girls Save the World Competition. Haynes Boone attorneys Sharon Crane and Vera Suarez provided pro bono legal support throughout the patent process.
This collaboration highlights how innovation, education, and cross-border partnerships can lead to practical solutions for real-world challenges.
Read More here: Haynes Boone Assists The Pennington School
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