let us introduce ourselves
The Étoile Foundation is a global non-profit organisation improving the overall menstrual health and hygiene literacy rates of young women in Côte d’Ivoire and globally.
what we do
Our pillars of impact
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Our pillars of impact *
Teach girls
We host skill-building education workshops locally in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and partner with local schools and universities to teach women’s health and hygiene classes for girls aged 15-24. Our education program includes topics from learning about the menstrual cycle, comparing period products, and cycle syncing, to endometriosis, optimal nutrition and exercise to support women’s health, and body confidence.
We provide this support globally with our online education platform ‘Étoile Learning’ available for all girls, for free, in multiple languages, because every girl deserves open access to information about their body.
2. Create a community
Our Instagram and Instagram Broadcast channel, as well as other social media has been designed to create a safe space where girls all around the world can advance their knowledge of health and hygiene. This extends to our online education platform, allowing integrated community chat functions for girls wishing to discuss course content anonymously. We also host events all around the world to generate awareness and support.
3. Promote sustainable menstrual products
We have identified that when teaching young African girls without access to period products, the most realistic solution is to introduce reusable period products. We partner with industry professionals to assist us in establishing sustainable period product manufacturing using local resources, with our regular ‘pad-sewing’ workshops in Côte d’Ivoire. This generates new jobs, creating self-led female entrepreneurs, whilst creating awareness around natural hygiene products. We also regularly donate clean and natural products to our girls in West Africa.
countries we operate in
click the country to explore more
Messages from our local community in Côte d’Ivoire
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Messages from our local community in Côte d’Ivoire *
— Océane Touré,
20 years old
“In Côte d'Ivoire, societal attitudes towards menstruation are deeply rooted in stigma and taboo. Women are often seen as unclean, leading to their marginalisation. Misconceptions about menstruation in Côte d'Ivoire include the belief that women should not touch certain foods or enter places of worship during their periods. There's also a prevailing idea that menstrual blood is impure, which further stigmatizes women. These misconceptions contribute to their social exclusion and limit their mobility. These prejudices foster a culture of shame and silence around menstruation.”
— Anaïs Chambrier,
28 years old
“Economic factors in Côte d’Ivoire contribute to the high cost of menstrual products, which can consume up to 13% of an individual's income. Infrastructural factors involve the lack of adequate sanitation facilities, such as clean toilets with privacy and proper waste disposal systems. Additionally, limited access to clean water further complicates menstrual hygiene daily. These economic and infrastructural deficiencies create significant barriers for women to manage their menstruation effectively.”
— Axelle Thia,
24 years old
“Menstrual products and adequate sanitation facilities are largely inaccessible in many parts of Côte d'Ivoire. Women often spend a significant portion of their income on menstrual products, and many cannot afford them at all. Furthermore, sanitation facilities are often insufficient, lacking privacy, clean water, and proper disposal methods for menstrual waste. This exacerbates the difficulties women face in managing their menstruation hygienically.”
