Richmond Rotary’s Days for Girls team celebrated Days for Girls International 13th Birthday last month with a delicious chocolate cake.

What’s so special about the number 13? Globally, 13 is the average age when girls first begin menstruation. Turning 13 can be a sacred transition into puberty and adulthood; an important rite of passage for young people around the world.
Thirteen is also how old Days for Girls turned in November.

The Nelson team started in 2018 and meets every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 3pm at the old Richmond Information Centre. Ironically Richmond Rotary built this in 1985! To date, the Nelson Team has distributed 1,360 sustainable menstrual kits both internationally and locally. They have 70 volunteers. A small group of Blenheim South Rotary members' wives also sew as part of the Nelson team.

There are 12 Days for Girls (DfG) Teams throughout New Zealand but only Nelson and Matamata are sponsored by their local Rotary clubs. 

Our International President Shekhar Mehta promotes Empowering Girls. Did you know that DfG fits into every one of our 7 Areas of Focus?

In the South Island, Reetah Mitchell is Team leader for the Christchurch Team. Reetah is very passionate about her voluntary role, and I can recommend her as an excellent guest speaker. She has got a strong team of volunteers but relies heavily on donations from the general public. Reetah can be contacted on: christchurchnz@daysforgirls.org

It has been DfG’s deepest honour to spend the last 13 years fighting for menstrual equity on behalf of every girl. We’re aiming to bring our life-changing menstrual health solutions to a record 2.4 million women and girls by December 31st.