Kimberly-Clark Strengthens Global Partnerships to Transform Women’s Care and Benefit 24 Million Women and Girls

Kimberly-Clark Corporation reaffirmed its commitment to advancing essential care for women and girls through four strengthened strategic and charitable partnerships. Through new programs with Baby2Baby, Plan International, Project HOPE, and UNICEF, the company aims to expand access to life-changing care in Brazil, Peru, China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the United States. Collectively, these collaborations will help improve the lives of approximately 24 million women and girls over the next three years.

This announcement stems from the recent intensification of the Kimberly-Clark Foundation’s strategic focus on promoting essential care for women and girls as they navigate puberty and motherhood. The foundation will fund this three-year, USD 28.7 million commitment, centered on menstrual health and maternal and child care.

Women’s health remains a global challenge. According to the World Health Organization, every seven seconds a woman or baby dies during or shortly after childbirth. Furthermore, the World Bank reports that around 500 million women and girls lack access to resources to manage menstruation. Despite this reality, opportunities to uplift women—and entire communities—are vast. As the World Economic Forum highlights, “investment in women’s health is unmatched in its return to the health of society as a whole.”

“We envision a world where women and girls everywhere can equitably access the essential care they need to thrive,” said Mike Hsu, Chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark and President of the Kimberly-Clark Foundation. “Since creating the feminine care category in 1921, we have remained committed to advancing care for women and girls. Our goal now is to accelerate that impact because we know that Better can’t wait.”

The funded programs will focus on supporting underserved communities through key initiatives such as menstrual education to combat stigma, access to safe sanitation solutions, perinatal and neonatal care, maternal mental health support, and strengthening local health systems.

TRANSFORMATIVE PARTNERSHIPS FOR MORE EQUITABLE CARE

Kimberly-Clark’s partnership with Baby2Baby began in 2011, when the company became the nonprofit’s first corporate partner. In 2024, its Huggies® brand deepened this commitment by supporting Baby2Baby’s initiative to address rising maternal mortality rates in the United States, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Through the distribution of maternal and newborn health supply kits, the program addresses the intersection of diaper needs, neonatal health, and maternal mental health.

“We are deeply grateful to Kimberly-Clark and its Huggies brand for their unwavering support,” said Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof, Co-CEOs of Baby2Baby. “Thanks to their three-year commitment, we will expand our efforts to support more mothers across 15 U.S. states, ensuring they have access to essential items during the often-overwhelming postpartum period.”

Since 2020, Plan International and Kimberly-Clark, together with its Kotex® brand, have reached approximately 11 million people through programs that promote menstrual health and break taboos in the United States, Brazil, China, and Peru. This collaboration fosters more inclusive school and community environments, ensuring access to supplies, proper facilities, and education that empower girls to manage their periods with dignity.

 

“We know that lasting change happens when boys get involved as allies,” said Kate Ezzes, Vice President of Program Development at Plan International USA. “Our collaboration with Kimberly-Clark helps dismantle harmful taboos and empowers girls to learn, lead, and thrive.”

The partnership with Project HOPE will focus on expanding access to menstrual and maternal health for women and girls in China and Indonesia. The initiative promotes menstrual hygiene education, respectful maternal care, and mental health support, using a holistic approach that accompanies women from adolescence through early motherhood.

“Kimberly-Clark and Project HOPE share a deep commitment to a world where women and girls have access to the care and dignity they deserve,” said Dr. Uche Ralph-Opara, Chief Health Officer of Project HOPE. “This new phase deepens our impact through education, mental health, and capacity-building efforts that drive sustainable change.”

Over nearly 25 years, Kimberly-Clark and UNICEF have collaborated to improve the health and well-being of women, girls, and babies in 26 countries. Now, that partnership expands through a new multi-regional initiative focused on menstrual hygiene education and maternal health in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Peru, and Vietnam.

“Since 2001, our partnership with Kimberly-Clark has benefited nearly 14 million people,” said Kitty van der Heijden, Deputy Executive Director of Partnerships at UNICEF. “We are pleased to deepen this transformative work to save more lives and promote dignity for women and girls.”

While several of these organizations have long-standing collaborations with Kimberly-Clark, this announcement marks a new chapter in their shared commitment. The partnerships focus on two essential areas—menstrual care and maternal and child care—addressing interconnected challenges that are often treated separately.

This integrated approach reflects the continuum of care, recognizing the link between menstrual health, maternal well-being, and child development. With its expertise and brands already serving these populations through essential products like diapers and feminine hygiene solutions, Kimberly-Clark is strategically positioned to drive large-scale social impact.

“We aim to lead with care in everything we do,” said Russ Torres, President and Chief Operating Officer of Kimberly-Clark. “‘We care’ is one of our core values. These strategic partnerships expand that value as we work to ensure that women and girls around the world receive the essential support they deserve.”

The Kimberly-Clark Foundation’s renewed focus on women’s and girls’ care is part of the company’s purpose, Better Care for a Better World, and aligns with its global strategy, Driving Care, which aims to positively impact one billion lives by 2030.