For the third year in a row—the Bank of Guam is stepping up to support women and girls across our island through a holiday donation drive that makes a real difference.

Employees and management have gathered feminine hygiene products and toiletries for the Bureau of Women’s Affairs—all in support of Project Sottera, a partnership between BWA and Island Girl Power launched in 2019 to combat period poverty.

Period poverty refers to girls and women who don’t have access to the menstrual products they need. The Chamorro word sottera describes when a girl first begins menstruation—and it’s a reminder that this is a natural, normal part of life that requires support, not stigma.

BWA director Jayne Flores says these donations go directly to nonprofits assisting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and to groups like Guma Mina’ase, the Guam Homeless Coalition, and Mane’lu. She notes they often receive calls asking for menstrual products—and this initiative has helped shift the mindset that these items are “luxuries,” clarifying that they’re necessities for women and girls to attend school, go to work, and participate in daily life.

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero says Project Sottera underscores that access to menstrual products is essential for women to be equal partners in society. In 2021 she signed Public Law 36-66—the Period Poverty Act—which now requires all public and publicly-funded charter schools to provide menstrual products for students during the school day.

A continued partnership with a continued impact, thanks to project sottera and the community that keeps it moving forward.