Menstrual Equity through Flexible Payment Systems

Summary

In 2025, Kosmotive committed to introduce an accessible payment system to transform menstrual health access at scale and reach 500,000 women and girls in the most underserved populations across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda by the end of 2027. This model will leverage Kosmotive’s existing reusable and cost-effective KosmoPad products, already being deployed across Rwanda and the DRC, to allow girls and women to continue to attend school and work while on their period. Kosmotive will also remove a major barrier to opportunity and dignity by facilitating access for women and girls by offering these products at KosmoPads kiosks with the option to pay in affordable installments using mobile money. By improving both access and affordability, Kosmotive will facilitate increased educational and economic opportunities resulting from more dignified access to menstrual health care, ultimately creating a positive impact for more than 2 million people across households benefiting from new pathways to economic security and health equity.

Approach

In effort to transform menstrual health access at scale and reach the most underserved populations across Rwanda, Kosmotive commits to introducing an accessible payment system for their reusable KosmoPads. In doing so, they will not only be providing a product, they will also be removing a major barrier to opportunity and dignity. This model will enable women and girls across Rwanda to pay for KosmoPads in affordable installments through mobile money.

Through a mobile money-integrated installment plan, users will be able to obtain reusable KosmoPads and pay over time, making the cost manageable and the process seamless and trackable. This initiative will be implemented through Kosmotive’s network of KosmoPads kiosks, strategically located in accessible areas across all districts of Rwanda.

Users arrive at the kiosks being used as pick up points after ordering the products through the location enabled Kosmotive App using a code on their mobile phone. This code will allow users to access the kiosks even without cellular data connection or internet, streamlining the pick up process. The app integrates directly with the most popular local mobile money systems in Rwanda, namely MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money. After confirming their order in the system, they pick their products from the kiosk, and make the rest of payment in installments at their convenience. These installment plans can extend up to six months.

In the first 12 months after the launch, Kosmotive will reach and serve an additional 400,000 girls and women who would otherwise be unable to afford menstrual products. Over time, they will continue working toward their ultimate goal of ensuring that every girl and woman in Rwanda can access affordable menstrual products through their flexible payment system, and begin scaling this work to other countries in East Africa, starting with the Democratic Republic of Congo where 100,000 girls and women will be served in 2027.

Action Plan

Kosmotive’s action plan for menstrual equity begins in August 2025 with the contracting of implementing partners and internal testing of the flexible payment system. By September 2025, five pilot districts will be identified for the initial kiosks.
The system will officially launch in October 2025, accompanied by the recruitment and training of a recovery team to manage repayments and customer support, and the opening of five kiosks serving as pick-up points.
Between November 2025 and January 2026, the initiative will scale from five to 30 districts, supported by partnerships with financial institutions to fund credit-based distribution and robust monitoring systems to track repayments and adoption.
From February to December 2026, the program will expand to all 416 sectors in Rwanda with the goal of reaching 400,000 women, alongside ongoing community engagement and menstrual health education.
In 2027, Kosmotive will extend operations to the Democratic Republic of Congo, beginning with needs assessments and consultations in early 2027, followed by pilot kiosks in 10 districts. By the end of the year, distribution will expand to reach 100,000 women through partnerships with local organizations and financial institutions.
Beyond 2027, the focus will be on sustainability through evaluation of repayment rates, adjustments to the payment system, continuous product innovations, digital payment integration, and strengthening of local production to meet cross-border demand.

Background

In Rwanda, period poverty affects an estimated 18% of girls and women, and an estimated 2 million girls and women miss school or work due to lack of access to affordable menstrual products. These absences represent a potential loss of US$215 in GDP per woman each year, leading to a staggering annual GDP loss of US$115 million in Rwanda (Sustainable Health Enterprises, 2016) . World Bank statistics also indicate that at least 20% of Rwanda’s schoolgirls, particularly in rural areas, miss up to 50 days of school per year (Aime & Pugalenthi, 2020) . This is a silent crisis that continues to undermine education, economic participation, and gender equality.

To address this challenge, Rwandan social enterprise Kosmotive was founded. Kosmotive leverages their Kosmos Magazine to improve education around health for women and girls, the KosmoHealth App and Helpline provide mobile resources to support safe pregnancy and safe birth, and developed the KosmoPads, an eco-friendly and low-cost sanitary pad, that has been supplied to over 400,000 girls to help them continue their education while menstruating.

While Kosmotive’s KosmoPads reusable pads offer a cost-effective solution, saving users up to 88% compared to disposable alternatives, the initial cost remains a barrier for the most vulnerable. Many low-income families are unable to afford even this one-time investment, limiting access to a product that could significantly improve health, education, and dignity. This challenge persists despite growing awareness and demand for sustainable menstrual solutions.

Progress Update

Partnership Opportunities

Kosmotive is seeking partnerships with financial technology companies and mobile network operators in Rwanda to integrate their installment-based payment system with mobile money platforms, ensuring seamless and accessible transactions. They will also aim to collaborate with local women’s cooperatives, youth organizations, and grassroots NGOs, or other organizations that focus on health, education, and gender equity to support outreach, distribution, and community engagement. Additionally, they welcome partnerships with government institutions, particularly the Ministries of Health, Education, and Gender, to align with national strategies and expand their impact through policy support and integration into public health and school programs.,Kosmotive is offering its expertise in menstrual, maternal, and reproductive health, along with proven best practices in product innovation and community-centered distribution. Through this commitment, Kosmotive will share technical knowledge on designing and scaling affordable reusable menstrual products, as well as strategies for integrating flexible payment systems to increase accessibility for underserved women and girls. Kosmotive will also contribute training modules and curriculum for community health workers, schools, and grassroots organizations, ensuring that partners are equipped to deliver impactful education and services. By fostering a collaborative network of local and regional stakeholders, Kosmotive provides a community of partners committed to advancing menstrual equity, women’s health, and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, Kosmotive will share learnings from its monitoring and evaluation systems to guide evidence-based decision-making, enabling other organizations to adapt and replicate successful models in their own contexts.