KAMPALA – Menstrual hygiene management remains a neglected issue in Uganda’s Karamoja and Teso regions, affecting the dignity, health, and education of women and girls, the recent research by Centre for Health, Human Rights, and Development – CEHURD, STF, and KIFAD, has indicated.
The study supported by Welthungerhilfe further shows that taboos surrounding menstruation restrict open discussion, making it difficult for them to manage their periods. Achieving good menstrual health requires access to products, accurate information, sanitation facilities, supportive environments, and trained healthcare workers.
The situation is dire, with menstruation considered impure, leading to shame, embarrassment, and seclusion. Women and girls face isolation, restricted mobility, and inadequate materials for managing menstruation. They resort to unhygienic methods, such as using soil, leaves, or old clothing, which can lead to health complications.
Uganda’s rapid population growth exacerbates this issue, particularly among adolescent girls. Limited access to menstrual products forces them to rely on crude methods, affecting school attendance and quality of life. In some communities, girls miss up to 11% of learning days due to menstrual periods, hindering their academic performance and future opportunities.
Efforts have been made to address these challenges. In 2015, the Ministry of Education introduced the Menstrual Hygiene Management Charter to halt the trend of girls dropping out of school at the onset of menstruation. In 2022, Parliament passed the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, exempting taxes on raw materials for menstrual products to reduce costs.
However, study shows that significant issues persist including:
- Menstrual products remain expensive, priced between UGX 2,500 to 10,000, making them inaccessible to many.
- Schools lack facilities, including clean water, disposal facilities, and safe spaces.
- Cultural myths and taboos surround menstruation, leading to absenteeism, early marriages, and teenage pregnancies.
- Poverty leads to sexual exploitation, with girls exchanging favors for pads.
The research underscores the need for urgent attention – revealing widespread challenges, including inaccessible menstrual products, lack of safe spaces, and cultural myths.
Noor Nakibuuka Musisi, CEHURD’s Deputy Executive Director, emphasizes that addressing these issues requires collective effort. “Menstrual hygiene management is fundamental to girls’ and women’s dignity and well-being,” she stresses.
To address these concerns, she expressed that investing in local production of menstrual products is crucial as it would create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and increase accessibility.
She also underscored the need to establish safe spaces and incinerators in schools, subsidizing menstrual hygiene products, and increasing funding for community engagements are also essential. “These initiatives would promote a supportive environment, encouraging girls to stay in school and maintain good menstrual health.”
She added, “Adopting a human rights-based approach for comprehensive WASH in Schools plans will improve menstrual hygiene management, enhance women’s dignity, and promote inclusive education.”
Dr. Olaro Charles, the Director Curative Services at the Ministry of Health emphasized the need to ensuring girls stay in school as a collective effort. To achieve this, he noted that it’s crucial that boys understand menstruation as a normal bodily change and its consequences.
“Unfortunately, poor menstrual hygiene leads to numerous complications, including school absenteeism, infections, and infertility.”
“Moreover, menstruation is often surrounded by harmful stigma, sexual exploitation, and myths that can lead to child marriages. In some communities, girls are advised to engage in sex or married off once they start menstruating. These practices are unacceptable and must be addressed.”
To combat these isissues Dr. Olaro stressed out the need to educate communities, schools, and families about menstrual health, hygiene, and the importance of supporting girls’ education.
“We call upon teachers, boys, and everyone to play an active role in promoting gender equality and empowering girls to achieve their full potential.”
Furthermore, he urge the government to make sanitary pads affordable and accessible nationwide, especially in remote areas, noting that “no girl should miss school or face health risks due to lack of access to essential menstrual products.”
Ms. Namukuta Brenda, Woman MP Kaliro district decried several issues affecting rural communities, including access to sanitary pads, skill development, and security.
She also highlighted the issue of gender-based violence noting unfortunately, some police officers don’t it seriously until it escalates to threats of violence.
She blames both menstrual hygiene management and GBV to the high levels of poverty amongst the locals.
“To address this, we need to empower both men and women, as overemphasizing women’s empowerment can lead to unintended consequences like increased violence and laziness among men.”
“To achieve gender equality, we must recognize that men and women experience poverty differently and face unique barriers. This requires a collective effort to promote equitable distribution of resources, challenge harmful stereotypes, and support mutually beneficial relationships. By engaging men and boys in gender equality initiatives, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous society,” she stressed.
Jonathan Ebwalu, MP for Soroti City challenged the government to prioritize allocating more funds to health service delivery, particularly in hard-to-reach areas like Dolwe, and focus on supporting underserved communities.
“By reducing wasteful expenditures, we can redirect those resources to strengthen our health sector he emphasized.
Ms Nakibuuka concluded saying that “by working together, we can create a more supportive environment for women and girls, ensuring their health, education, and empowerment.”
“Through collective action, we can break the silence surrounding menstruation, challenge harmful cultural norms, and ensure that women and girls in Karamoja and Teso regions have the resources and support they need to thrive.”
Policy Recommendations:
Invest in local production of menstrual products.
Establish safe spaces and incinerators in schools.
Subsidize menstrual hygiene products.
Increase funding for community engagements.
Adopt a human rights-based approach for comprehensive WASH in Schools plans.
