Kimberly-Clark's Global Initiative to Improve Women's Healthcare for 24 Million Girls and Women

In a remarkable move towards advancing women's and girls' health, Kimberly-Clark Corporation has announced a significant global partnership aimed at enhancing essential healthcare access for 24 million women and girls across various countries. This initiative leverages the strengths of four key charitable organizations: Baby2Baby, Plan International, Project HOPE, and UNICEF, to address critical health needs in Brazil, Peru, China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the United States.

Kimberly-Clark has committed $28.7 million towards this three-year initiative, marking a bold step in their long-standing advocacy for women's health. This funding will primarily focus on menstrual hygiene management and maternal and child health, reflecting the company’s dedication to improving the lives of women amidst the ongoing global health crisis. According to the World Health Organization, a woman or newborn dies every seven seconds during childbirth or shortly thereafter. Additionally, around 500 million women and girls lack access to menstrual hygiene products, as reported by the World Bank.

Mike Hsu, Chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark, expressed the company’s vision of a world where women and girls everywhere have equal access to necessary care for their full development. Since pioneering the women's hygiene category in 1921, Kimberly-Clark has remained committed to supporting women's and girls' health needs through innovative product development and impactful social programs.

The funding will support several educational programs focused on menstrual hygiene, breaking down stigma surrounding menstruation for adolescents, expanding access to safe sanitary resources, and enhancing maternal and newborn care. It will also include mental health support for mothers and initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare systems to improve care outcomes for the most vulnerable groups.

Strategic Partnerships Focused on Impact

One of the key partnerships is with Baby2Baby, which has been working to provide essential needs for families living in poverty since 2011. In 2024, Kimberly-Clark's Huggies brand enhanced its support by collaborating with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to combat rising maternal mortality rates. By distributing essential care packages for mothers and newborns, the program addresses the critical needs for diapers, newborn health, and maternal mental health.

The collaboration with Plan International, along with Kimberly-Clark’s Kotex brand, has reached approximately 11 million people since its inception in 2020. The partnership focuses on creating menstruation-friendly environments in communities and schools across the USA, Brazil, China, and Peru. By ensuring access to necessary supplies, toilets, and education, girls can manage their menstruation with confidence and dignity.

Project HOPE's initiative, in partnership with Kimberly-Clark, aims to expand menstrual and maternal health access in China and Indonesia. This program emphasizes menstrual hygiene education, respectful maternal care, and mental health support, thus empowering individuals with educational resources and compassionate care throughout their life cycle—from adolescence through pregnancy and early motherhood.

Moreover, Kimberly-Clark and UNICEF have collaborated for nearly 25 years to enhance the health and well-being of infants, girls, and women in 26 countries. Their latest multi-regional initiative focuses on menstrual hygiene education and providing access to girls in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Peru, and Vietnam.

Building a Better Future Together

The Kimberly-Clark Foundation’s renewed focus on supporting women's and girls' health aligns with the company’s mission of “Better Care for a Better World.” By prioritizing menstrual and maternal health within their strategic partnerships, Kimberly-Clark aims to tackle interconnected issues often addressed in isolation.