Our Story

The Cova Project stemmed from Geena (G.D) Anderson’s experiences working in Namibia. The unique circumstances of poverty, isolation and discrimination led to women going without sanitary products and therefore facing one week a month excluded from normal activities like school, work and everyday life. In today’s world, no woman need go without safe sanitary care. The solutions already exist, it’s just a matter of providing them to those who need them most. Which is why in January 2018, G.D started The Cova Project.

When considering the problem, the team at The Cova Project recalled memories of being in school and being asked for a tampon by their friends. They described it almost as a rite of passage. Your friend needs a sanitary product and you provide it, because that’s what girls do, they take care of each other. It’s that simple.

The Cova Project is just this concept on a larger scale. It’s listening to our sisters in Sub-Saharan Africa and West Africa, asking if you have something to help them manage this awkward time, something to keep them in school or work. And for just $7 you can provide them with a solution for up to 10 years.

The Cova Project carefully selects its Local Partners to reach girls in especially challenging settings. These girls are tested daily and when faced with the decision of whether to provide food for their families or purchase a pack of pads, their personal health always comes second. The Cova Project wants to remove the decision entirely, provide free menstrual cups and allow girls to experience freedom from the financial and physical burden of menstruation.

In 2019, The Cova Project Limited became a registered Australian charity and distributed 3,000 menstrual cups to girls across Liberia, rural South Africa and Malawi. in 2020 The Cova Project expanded to include projects in Ghana and Uganda, with the call for menstrual cups coming from all over the world. It’s a little solution needed by women everywhere.   

Think about it as if your friend was desperately asking for a tampon. For around the price of a good cup of coffee (one of those fancy ones that come with sparking water on the side) you can give a girl access to free sanitary supplies for many years. Menstrual cups are an eco-friendly technology that can be reused and cleaned with the simple ingredient of boiling water. 

Having your period is not an option and helping women to experience it safely and affordably shouldn’t be either.

-G.D Anderson