TERMS OF REFERENCE for Procurement and Distribution of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Kits for Adolescent Vulnerable Girls in GPE Grant Supported Schools

Procurement and Distribution of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Kits for Adolescent Vulnerable Girls in GPE Grant Supported Schools.

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) remains a significant barrier to girls' education in Somalia, contributing to absenteeism, reduced participation, and increased risk of school dropout, particularly among adolescent girls who have experienced their first menstrual cycle. Many schools lack adequate support systems, while girls often face limited access to affordable menstrual hygiene products, inadequate sanitation facilities, and stigma surrounding menstruation. These challenges are further compounded for girls who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), who may experience additional physical and psychosocial difficulties in managing menstruation at school.

To address these barriers, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MOECHE), through the Girls' Education Accelerator (GEA), will procure and distribute Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Kits (Dignity Kits) to eligible female students, prioritizing areas with the largest gender disparities in access to education. Each kit will include reusable menstrual pads suitable for the local context, soap, and underwear. The intervention will also strengthen the capacity of head teachers and teachers to provide appropriate guidance and support for menstrual hygiene management in schools.

To maximize impact and ensure efficient use of resources, Federal Member State Ministries of Education (FMS MOEs) will verify that beneficiaries are not receiving similar support from other partners before distribution, thereby avoiding duplication. The intervention will be implemented by the Gender and Inclusion Focal Points to harmonize menstrual hygiene management guidelines and support the dissemination of these guidelines through health and hygiene support in schools, focusing on girls' needs. This integrated approach will contribute to improving girls' school attendance, retention, participation, and overall well-being while promoting a safe, inclusive, and gender-responsive learning environment.

1. Rationale

The procurement and distribution of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Kits is intended to eliminate one of the key barriers preventing adolescent girls from accessing and fully participating in education. Lack of menstrual hygiene products and limited knowledge of menstrual health often result in frequent absenteeism, reduced classroom engagement, diminished self-confidence, and increased risk of dropping out of school. By providing essential dignity kits alongside guidance and capacity building for head teachers and teachers, the intervention will enable schools to offer a more supportive and responsive environment for girls, including those facing additional challenges associated with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The activity is also expected to promote equitable access to education by prioritizing underserved areas with the greatest gender disparities.

1. Target Beneficiaries

The intervention targets 20,000 vulnerable adolescent girls from across GPE supported schools, including:

• Internally displaced girls.
• Girls affected by conflict and natural disasters.
• Orphans and vulnerable girls.
• Girls from extremely poor households.
• Girls with disabilities.
• Girls at risk of dropping out of school.

This Request for Quotation represents the requirements for an open and competitive process. 

Quotations will be accepted until 31/07/2026], delivered via email solely to [email protected], no later than the above specified date.

Additionally, all costs included in quotations must be all-inclusive to include any outsourced or contracted work.  Any quotations which call for outsourcing or contracting work must include a name and description of the organizations being contracted. 

All costs must be itemized to include an explanation of all fees and costs.