This archive report was first published on 14 August 2019.
On August 14, 2019, Ziyaan Virji, a 17-year-old student at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, Kenya, was awarded the prestigious Diana Award for his outstanding work in creating reusable sanitary pads.
The Diana Award was established in 1999 in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, and is given to inspirational young people from across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Recipients of the award are judged across four criteria: Vision, Social impact, Youth-led service journey, and Inspiring others. They must be aged between 9 and 25 and have been carrying out their activities for at least 12 months.
‘I am truly honoured to be a recipient of this prestigious International Award and to be recognised for my work in the legacy of Princess Diana. I would like to thank my family, my close friends, my mentors, and most importantly, my school for their continuous support and guidance in helping me find and achieve my purpose: to help give girls access to menstrual hygiene around the world.’
— Ziyaan Virji upon receiving the award
Virji's initiative, Affordable and Accessible Sanitation for Women (AASW), was launched in 2017 while he was working on his Personal Project for his International Baccalaureate studies. He was surprised to learn that 500 million girls across the world do not have access to the necessary menstrual health resources they require.
Through AASW, Virji and his team work with local organizations to produce and distribute reusable sanitary packages that are washable, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and cost between $3 to $5. These packages last for up to 3 years, are 100% biodegradable, and are made from colorful African fabric with a removable felt lining.
Since its inception, AASW has helped almost 300 girls to acquire access to menstrual hygiene across six different countries, namely; Kenya, Tanzania, Pakistan, India, Nigeria, and the UAE. Over the next 12 months, AASW aims to continue expanding to provide over 1,000 girls with access to sanitation.
