UR Junior Receives Projects for Peace Grant to Support Women's Reproductive Health Education in Kenya

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Shamim Ibrahim, a University of Richmond junior from Nairobi, Kenya, received a $10,000 Projects for Peace grant toward a project to support women’s reproductive health education in Kenya.

Ibrahim is double majoring in economics and Global Studies: World Politics and Diplomacy with a minor in Arabic.

Through her grant, she completed a project in Murang’a in central Kenya. Along with a small team of supporters, Ibrahim provided reusable sanitary products, including period panties, menstrual cups, and reusable pads to women in the community. She also hosted workshops on taboo topics such as menstruation, consent, and HIV/AIDS.

“We wanted to address issues that girls and women face when they are menstruating, especially missing school due to lack of sanitary products,” said Ibrahim. “We also aimed to destigmatize and facilitate discussions on important topics that were intentionally being avoided.”

“I did this project because I wanted to help level the playing field for these girls,” Ibrahim added. “They face many challenges, and a natural biological process should not be one of them.”

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Davis Projects for Peace is an initiative begun by philanthropist Kathryn W. Davis. Each year, students at American colleges across the country submit proposals for grassroots projects that are designed to build peace. The projects deemed most promising and feasible are awarded a $10,000 grant.