Ethiopian Girls Launch Menstrual Health App to Combat School Absenteeism

Studio Samuel Girls Academy celebrates its tenth anniversary with the introduction of Yewer Abeba, a free menstrual health educational application developed by Ethiopian girls to address one of the primary causes of school absenteeism among adolescent girls in Ethiopia. The application launches on October 11, 2025, aligning with International Day of the Girl and its theme emphasizing girls as change leaders in crisis situations.

Yewer Abeba, meaning "Monthly Flower" in Amharic, represents an innovative approach to menstrual health education by placing creation and leadership directly in the hands of the girls it serves. One student from Studio Samuel Girls Academy explained how menstrual periods previously caused her to miss classes, but with Yewer Abeba, she feels prepared and empowered to demonstrate that girls belong in school every day.

The application tackles a significant educational barrier in Ethiopia, where menstruation remains a leading reason girls miss school. Available for free download through Google Play starting October 11, Yewer Abeba reaches approximately 95% of mobile users in Ethiopia who utilize Android devices. The application features content available in Amharic, Tigrinya, Afaan Oromo, and English, ensuring cultural relevance and broad accessibility across diverse Ethiopian communities.

Developed through collaboration between Studio Samuel Girls Academy students and licensed medical experts, with research support from Dr. Kathryn Geurts and Global Health students at Hamline University, Yewer Abeba includes practical features such as a period tracker, health resources, and a Kalkidan avatar based on the organization's menstrual health management ambassador. The application operates without requiring wifi after download and prioritizes user privacy by not collecting personal data, addressing concerns raised by caregivers and parents during development.

Tamara Horton, Founder and Executive Director of Studio Samuel Girls Academy, emphasized the application's importance, stating that no girl should have her education disrupted by something as natural as her period. The menstrual education application, created for girls by girls and shaped with their families and medical experts, puts knowledge and dignity directly in their hands. The application is powered by MakeADifference.tech and builds upon Studio Samuel's proven model of pairing education with health and skills training for long-term empowerment.

The launch occurs during Studio Samuel's milestone tenth year of operation in Ethiopia, during which the organization has impacted 25,000 girls with critical life skills through its Training for Tomorrow program. The organization recently rebranded as Studio Samuel Girls Academy to more clearly reflect its commitment to girls' education and empowerment, with an ambitious goal to reach one million girls by 2035. This student-led menstrual health initiative demonstrates how the organization continues to equip girls with tools to create lasting change for themselves and their communities.