DALLAS, May 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global
COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the strength of women around the
world who are leading the response as doctors, nurses, scientists,
engineers, farmers, public servants, volunteers and in many other
essential roles. At the same time, the job loss resulting from
pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women and has left
more than 743 million girls in 185 countries out of school.
In response, Kimberly-Clark and its Kotex brand are
engaging consumers, communities and employees in a global effort,
the Kotex She Can Initiative, to fight stigma within society,
ensure access to education, and open doors for women and girls to
pursue their dreams.
"The stigma attached to menstruation or simply the lack of
access to products will keep millions of women and girls from
pursuing dreams of becoming one of those heroes on the front
lines," said Juanita Pelaez, Vice
President, Global Adult and Feminine Care for Kimberly-Clark.
"The Kotex She Can Initiative is a long-term effort to build a
future where a period never gets in the way of any woman's
progress."
Kimberly-Clark's commitment to menstrual hygiene was born from
insights of women working as war-time nurses more than 100 years
ago, who stitched together hygiene pads made from Kimberly-Clark's
cellucotton bandages so they could stay on the front lines during
their period. When the Kotex brand was introduced in 1920, the
stigma attached to menstruation required it to be sold in a plain
blue box behind a pharmacy counter.
One hundred years later, the company and the Kotex brand
remain focused on eliminating stigma, improving access and
improving key outcomes for women and girls in the areas of
education and overall health and wellness.
The Kotex She Can Initiative will focus its social impact
of Kimberly-Clark's feminine care brands in four key areas:
- Address lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and
education, through the Alliance for Period Supplies and other
efforts around the world;
- Partnership with Plan International to invest $2.5 million over three years into girl-centered
solutions for basic menstrual hygiene management and education,
reach a total of 1.6 million individuals and help women and girls
confidently and comfortably manage their periods through our
overarching partnership with Plan International;
- Enabling a supportive environment and increasing knowledge and
skills for girls, boys and teachers to destigmatize menstruation;
and
- Local brand-led efforts around the globe to open doors for
women to pursue independent futures.
"For years, menstruation has kept girls and women from
opportunities," said Dr. Tessie San
Martin, President and CEO of Plan International USA. "Kotex and Plan have worked in
partnership to dismantle the stigma associated with periods, while
providing access to education to help women and girls in
marginalized communities manage menstruation and improve hygiene.
I'm beyond excited that we're expanding this work. We've covered a
lot of ground, but we still have ways to go."
Kimberly-Clark and Kotex are sponsors of Menstrual Hygiene Day,
a global awareness program launched by WASH United in 2014 to
bring global attention to the lack of menstrual hygiene management
access, education and sanitation affecting millions of women and
girls. In the US, U by Kotex is the founding sponsor of the
Alliance for Period Supplies, which is raising awareness through
Period Poverty Awareness Week.
"Over the past five months, we've donated millions of Kotex
products to COVID-19 response and relief efforts around the world,"
added Pelaez. "We know that we can do more to help her rebuild the
future of our communities, and the Kotex She Can Initiative will
provide sustained support for women and girls whose futures can be
changed through access to period supplies, community education and
an independent future."
To learn more about the Kotex She Can Initiative, visit
https://www.kimberly-clark.com/kotex-she-can-initiative
About Kotex
Our Kotex, U by Kotex and Intimus brands
aim to ensure a period never gets in the way of any woman's
progress. Kimberly-Clark created the feminine care category with
the launch of the Kotex brand 100 years ago, and today, its
products are trusted by millions of women in more than 100
countries to provide outstanding protection and inspire confidence
that period or not, she can.
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB) and its
trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more
than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an
understanding of people's most essential needs, we create products
that help individuals experience more of what's important to them.
Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex,
Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus,
Neve, Plenitud, Viva and WypAll, hold the No. 1 or No. 2 share
position in 80 countries. We use sustainable practices that support
a healthy planet, build stronger communities, and ensure our
business thrives for decades to come. To keep up with the latest
news and to learn more about the company's 148-year history of
innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com or follow us on
Facebook or Twitter.
About Alliance for Period Supplies
The Alliance for
Period Supplies is an initiative of the National Diaper Bank
Network (NDBN)—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that leads a
nationwide movement aimed at helping individuals and families who
struggle to afford material basic needs. Launched in May 2018, with
the support of founding sponsor U by Kotex, the Alliance for Period
Supplies raises national awareness of period poverty
(#endperiodpoverty) and supports the development and expansion of
period supply programs in communities throughout the country. The
organization is comprised of Allied Programs that collect,
warehouse and distribute menstrual/period supplies in local
communities. More information on Alliance for Period Supplies is
available at allianceforperiodsupplies.org, and on Twitter and
Facebook.
About Plan International USA
Powered by supporters, Plan International USA partners with adolescent girls, young
women and children around the world to overcome oppression and
gender inequality, providing the support and resources that are
unique to their needs and the needs of their communities, ensuring
they achieve their full potential with dignity, opportunity and
safety. Founded in 1937, Plan is an independent development and
humanitarian organization that is active in more than 80 countries.
For more information, please visit PlanUSA.org.
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SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corporation