Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this audiobook. I enjoyed it this book. I learned a lot too. This is something I never even thought about. Making sure girls in third world countries get the education and supplies for menstrual health.

I generally enjoyed this book. The issue it discusses, period poverty, is a really important one, and one that is becoming more of a discussion as even in developing countries there are many who lack the proper resources when they have their periods. The origins of Days for Girls, an organization focused on providing menstrual products for girls in developing countries to allow them to attend school without the stigma around their periods is very interesting. Educating girls is very important, as studies show that the more educated the women in a population the better off they are. In many places, lack of access to feminine hygiene products leads to a low level of female literacy as girls often don't attend school while they have their periods. Hearing how Days for Girls, from its very beginnings was able to support girls to stay in school and "get their days back" was interesting and inspiring. I also enjoyed the author's story as it showed how her connection to the issue was so personal due to her own poverty growing up and how she knew firsthand the struggle of being able to go to school when she had no access to proper period care products. How she has been able to turn the spark of an idea into a global organization that provides women and girls with sanitary products so they can gain an education which will mean they can go on to better their communities was really cool.

I found the book dragged a little in the middle for me. Each community deserves to have its story told, but some of the stories of the individual community efforts began to run together for me.

I listened to an audio version of this book, read by the author. Usually, I enjoy it when an author narrates their own work but in this case, I found it a little difficult to listen to and kind of wish someone else had narrated instead.

I received a free advanced copy of this audiobook from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

A powerful book about author Celeste Mergens development of Days For Girls and the global need for menstruation and health care for girls and women.



In 2008, Celeste Mergens was working with an overcrowded orphanage on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, when she learned that menstruating girls sat on cardboard in their rooms for several days each month.

This set into motion a simple idea—combining a washable, long-lasting pad with taboo-breaking education—that became a catalyst for an unlikely global movement for equity.

Written in short, evocative chapters, The Power of Days tells the story of Mergens’s quest to rally a global response to elevate menstrual health, increase universal access to menstrual supplies, shatter stigma through education, and advocate for global policy change. Raised in poverty by a mentally ill parent, Mergens learned early on that building the life she wanted would take equal parts determination and humility, traits that led her to create the kinds of inclusive conversations and solutions she is known for around the globe.

The challenges Mergens faced and the lessons she learned, personally and professionally, and the triumphs and resourcefulness of leaders all over the globe are illuminating to all who wish to make a difference and create a more equitable world.

Today, Days for Girls reaches more than 2.6 million women and girls in 145 countries. The organization’s impact continues to grow, proving that small changes can create big shifts. This journey to overcome one of the world’s most prevalent taboos is proof that no divide is impossible to bridge