About
HabloCare is a bold and transformative women-led social enterprise founded in 2024 by five visionary Somali young women. Headquartered in Garowe, Puntland, Somalia, HabloCare was born out of a shared commitment to address period poverty, promote dignity, and champion the sexual and reproductive health rights of Somali women and adolescent girls—particularly those from displaced, refugee, and rural communities.
HabloCare’s mission is to improve access to safe, high-quality, and affordable menstrual hygiene and reproductive health products for girls and women in Somalia. By offering innovative, reusable, and eco-friendly sanitary solutions, HabloCare empowers women and girls to manage their menstruation with confidence, dignity, and safety, ultimately contributing to improved health, reduced inequality, and enhanced gender equity.
VISION
To build the confidence and capacity of Somali women and girls to take charge of their lives—economically, socially, and health-wise—by ensuring access to affordable, sustainable menstrual and reproductive health products and knowledge.
CORE FOCUS AREAS
- Production of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Products
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Community Health and Hygiene Empowerment
- Economic Empowerment for Vulnerable Women and Girls
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Environmentally Sustainable Menstrual Health Solutions
TARGET POPULATION
HabloCare’s products and programs primarily serve:
- Poor and low-income women
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Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
- Refugee and returnee populations
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Women and girls in rural or underserved communities
WHY HABLOCARE WAS FOUNDED
HabloCare was born out of a deep and personal understanding of the struggles faced by Somali women and girls in managing their menstrual health with dignity. For decades, the intersection of poverty, gender inequality, cultural taboos, and weak health systems has meant that a basic biological process—menstruation—becomes a source of shame, fear, and exclusion for many girls in Somalia.
In rural areas, IDP camps, and underserved urban neighborhoods, sanitary pads are either unavailable or unaffordable, costing more than a day’s wages. As a result, countless girls are forced to use makeshift materials such as rags, newspaper, leaves, or even soil—unsafe methods that can lead to serious health complications including urinary tract infections, reproductive tract infections, and pelvic inflammatory diseases. These health risks are often compounded by limited access to water, soap, and private toilets, especially in crisis-affected communities.
The idea of HabloCare came from the lived realities and resilience of Somali women who saw how menstruation, something so natural, was turned into a silent barrier— forcing girls to miss school, women to miss work, and entire communities to suffer in silence. What started as a passionate conversation among five young women in Garowe turned into a mission: to break the silence, restore dignity, and make menstrual health products accessible for every girl and woman in Somalia.
HabloCare is not simply about distributing products; it is about reclaiming the narrative around women’s health and empowerment. It is about giving women and girls the confidence to stand tall, attend school, earn a living, and participate fully in society— without shame, fear, or compromise. Through local innovation, community-led production, and a spirit of sisterhood, HabloCare represents a movement for social justice and menstrual equity in Somalia.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
At the heart of HabloCare’s work is a commitment to providing high-quality, affordable, and eco-friendly menstrual and reproductive health solutions designed for the realities of Somali women and girls. We offer a unique blend of product innovation, community training, and humanitarian support, all aimed at improving menstrual health and breaking the cycle of period poverty.
1. Milgo Sanitary Pads
Milgo is HabloCare’s flagship product—a reusable sanitary pad designed to be safe, affordable, and environmentally sustainable. Made with soft, absorbent fabric and tested for comfort and durability, Milgo pads can be washed and reused for over a year, making them a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to disposable pads.
The pads are:
- 50% cheaper than the least expensive disposable pads on the market
- Designed to minimize risk of infections and irritation
- Produced locally by an all-women production team in Garowe
- Targeted especially at women and girls living below the poverty line
By using Milgo pads, girls are able to stay in school, women can go to work without worry, and families can save money while reducing their environmental footprint.
2. SamiSan Dignity Kits
Recognizing the urgent hygiene needs in humanitarian settings, HabloCare also produces SamiSan Dignity Kits, which are comprehensive hygiene packages tailored for displaced and vulnerable women and girls. These kits are especially designed for distribution by humanitarian organizations working in protection, health, and emergency response.
Each kit typically includes:
- Reusable sanitary pads
- Underwear
- Toilet soap and detergent
- Body lotion or petroleum jelly
- A towel, razor, and a 6-yard wrapper (garbasaar)
- A Hijab or Himar for cultural sensitivity and dignity
These kits are crucial for enabling women and girls to maintain personal hygiene, dignity, and protection in the face of displacement, disaster, and conflict. HabloCare works closely with NGOs and aid agencies to customize and bulk-produce these kits based on need assessments.
Skills Training & Empowerment
Beyond product delivery, HabloCare invests in the economic and social empowerment of women and girls. Through practical training programs, the organization equips participants—especially those from displaced, refugee, or minority backgrounds—with the skills and materials to produce reusable sanitary pads themselves.
This approach does more than address menstrual health—it creates micro-enterprises and builds self-reliance. Participants are trained on:
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- Basic tailoring and pad-making techniques
- Menstrual health education and awareness
- Small-scale business management and sales skills
The program not only empowers individuals to earn a livelihood but also fosters local ownership of menstrual health solutions, ensuring the long-term sustainability and cultural relevance of the movement.