AMI is focused on the holistic well-being of African girls and women. With Black and African women more likely to experience primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Across sub-Saharan Africa, 33-56% of adolescent girls experience severe primary dysmenorrhea, preventing their engagement in school and social events. Studies show that despite this prevalence, many students do not receive first-line treatments for menstrual pain. Fibroids, benign tumor growth in the uterus, are 3- 4x greater in Black women compared to their counterparts. Approximately 70-80% of Black women are predicted to develop fibroids in their lifetimes, impacting their reproductive capacities and burdening them with chronic pain.

AMI hopes to let girls and women learn about their bodies intimately. Understanding the biology and anatomy of menstruation and reproductive health is essential for girls to make autonomous decisions for themselves and reclaim authority over their lives. Learning the truths and fallacies of stigmas dictating daily life is vital to combat period poverty. At AMI, we are more than just education, we are a community of learners. We should forge trusting and caring relationships to bring each other up and become our best selves. We hope that by the end of our program, students leave with the ability to communicate the functioning of their bodies to others to receive the help and care they need. We also teach our students how to use menstrual products and emergency menstrual methods to ensure they are equipped to take on the world. Welcome to AMI.

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Ogechukwu Ogbogu
Founder of African Menstrual Health Initiative