Over a glass of wine two kiwi women, Kylie and Michele got talking about what the future looks like for their daughters, and wondered: Why is technology in every other area of our lives evolving so quickly, but our options for managing our periods are limited to bulky pads or tampons, or a cup that was first designed in the 1930s? Why are we still clogging up landfill with non-biodegradable single-use menstrual products?

Surely we can do better. Let's revolutionise the way us wahine menstruate forever.

AWWA, formally known as I am Eva, was born.

One $27,000 Kickstarter goal smashed, one very successful period panties test run, and many glasses of wine later, here we are.

Not content to sit around in their underwear all day, these two wahine toa (who also run the successful Kai Carrier and Frankie Apothecary businesses) have also decided to donate 5% of all AWWA underwear produced towards ending period poverty in New Zealand.

Period poverty is real. Period.

And it’s happening in New Zealand.

Women and girls are resorting to stuffing rags, toilet paper, nappies and socks in their underwear, because they and their families can’t afford menstrual products. Or even if they do have some sanitary products, they use tampons and pads longer than is hygienic. And when these dangerous and uncomfortable options don’t work, they are forced to stay home from work and school out of shame and discomfort, losing days of earnings and education.

It's not good enough.

Poverty is enough to deal with, without worrying about how you’re going to afford menstrual products. Enough is enough.

At AWWA we are committed to changing this scenario. We are part of a movement to end period poverty and to ensure that all girls and women have access to menstrual products.

Let’s end period poverty together.