LENA.

Target User Groups

LENA. is targeted towards, but not limited to; menstruators who are experiencing homelessness, seeking refuge in camps, and living in low-income countries or states of natural or man-made disasters.

These user groups have many similarities including; a preference for the reusable menstrual pad or cloth as their choice of menstrual product, lack of access to WASH facilities and the cultural restrictions of ‘menstrual etiquette’.

The Existing Dignity Kits

In order to reach these user groups LENA. was designed to become a part of the existing dignity kits that are produced by multiple organisations like the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). LENA. aims to sustain the existing items within the kit, as statistically, people in need will only receive one in their life.

LENA. is a kit that can

Inspired By Research

A broad study on menstrual hygiene management was conducted in order to understand the problem and explore an area of opportunity for design intervention.

This included surveying 7 current medical professionals in the area of women’s health on the common misconceptions and health risks associated with menstrual hygiene. Also, 3 expert interviews were conducted investigating the menstrual education gap, the distribution of menstrual products internationally and the medical perspective of an international midwife. And lastly, a survey answered by 113 people in Australia about personal experiences surrounding menstrual hygiene, enabled the designer to comprehend the connections between menstruators living in poverty and those living in a first-world country context.
This research played a critical role in the conceptualisation & design development of LENA.

Click to View Research Report

Each community lacked health facilities, hygiene & education on basic women’s health. Most locations did not have consistent running water, electricity & soap…

Women in most countries were coming into the clinics using unclean clothes tied to a string around their waist as their menstrual products. It was very common for women in these countries to have health concerns due to this.
Kate Van Zweeden, International Midwife & Nurse (worked in Cambodia, Uganda, India & Nepal)

PRESS PLAY TO SEE LENA. IN USE

Simplistic Manufacturing

LENA. has simplistic design features that enable straightforward manufacturing processes.
The majority of the cleaning device is made of HDPE plastic which is constructed with up to 75% post-consumer plastic and is recyclable after use. All of these components follow the appropriate design guides for uncomplicated injection moulding processes. The main component is an LSR injection moulded, 30A Grade food-safe silicone body that enables the pad to be ringed out without physical contact with blood or dirty water.

LENA. IS A COLLABORATIVE BRAND

That aims to combat the menstrual hygiene and sanitation crisis in vulnerable populations.
But not alone.
LENA. aims to work in partnership with existing organisations that are on a similar mission.

A KIT THAT CAN FACILITATE GENERATIONAL CHANGE

From parents to young girls who have newly started their menstrual cycle this kit can allow them to uphold their personal hygiene in full discretion, but most importantly with dignity & hygienically.