Moyo, Uganda – In Uganda, millions of girls face significant barriers to education, with one of the most daunting challenges being the lack of access to sanitary pads. This seemingly insurmountable obstacle forces many girls to miss school, compromising their education and future prospects. However, a groundbreaking initiative is seeking to change this narrative.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) have partnered to distribute reusable sanitary pads to vulnerable schoolgirls in Moyo District, West Nile, as part of the #AchieveMoreGirl initiative. This collaborative effort aims to combat school absenteeism and promote menstrual health management, ensuring that girls can attend school consistently and with dignity.
The #AchieveMoreGirl initiative is a component of DTB’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, which directly supports UNFPA’s Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment (SAY) Programme. In Uganda, the lack of access to sanitary pads has a devastating impact on the education and well-being of girls. According to UNFPA, over 1.2 million girls in Uganda miss school every year due to menstrual-related issues, with many dropping out of school altogether.
“The distribution of these reusable sanitary pads is more than just providing a product; it’s about restoring dignity and ensuring girls can attend school consistently,” says Mr. Alex Chono, Delivery and Coordination Programme Specialist from UNFPA. “This partnership with Diamond Trust Bank is crucial in ensuring these girls have the resources and knowledge they need to thrive.”
Samuel Matekha, DTB’s Head of Marketing and Communications, emphasized the importance of supporting girls’ menstrual health, saying, “We’re committed to making a positive impact. By supporting 10,000 girls with reusable sanitary towels over the next two years, we aim to contribute to Uganda’s economic development and empower future generations.”
Matekha added, “The visit has been prompted by the news that many girls don’t go to school due to menstrual-related issues. We have made it our responsibility to understand that out of 100 pregnancies, 41% of them are adolescent girls. Many of these girls get pregnant because they stay home due to lack of access to sanitary products. By providing reusable sanitary pads, we’re giving them the support they need to stay in school.”
One of the students at Lefori Primary School expressed her gratitude for the initiative, saying, “I’m so grateful for these reusable sanitary pads. They will greatly improve our lives and help us overcome the challenges we’ve been facing. Previously, we had to beg our boyfriends to buy pads for us, which put us at risk of getting pregnant because they would often ask for sex in return. But now, with these pads, we’ll be able to stay in school with dignity and focus on our education without worrying about our menstrual health.”
Under this initiative, DTB has committed $106,458 to benefit 10,000 schoolgirls by providing comprehensive reusable sanitary kits. Each kit contains five reusable sanitary pads, two pairs of underwear, a backpack, and an educational booklet in three languages. Designed to last up to two years, these kits offer a sustainable solution to menstrual hygiene challenges and aim to reduce the alarming rate of menstrual-related school dropouts.
The statistics are alarming:
- 1.2 million girls in Uganda miss school every year due to menstrual-related issues.
- 60% of girls in Uganda report missing school due to menstruation.
- 30% of girls in Uganda drop out of school due to menstrual-related issues.
- Only 12% of girls in Uganda have access to sanitary pads.
The partnership between UNFPA and DTB is a significant step towards promoting menstrual health and empowering girls in West Nile. By providing reusable sanitary pads and life-skills education, the initiative seeks to create a supportive environment that enables girls to manage their menstrual health with dignity and confidence.
Matekha concluded by emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility in promoting menstrual health. “We urge society to take menstrual hygiene seriously and recognize its significance in empowering girls. Menstrual education is crucial, and we must support girls through this critical phase. By providing the right education and support, we can help girls feel confident and comfortable, rather than ashamed or embarrassed.”
The initiative is also calling on parents and stakeholders to take responsibility for girls’ menstrual health. Matekha said, “Parents, your children are not items for sale for early marriages. Parents, children are supposed to be cared for, children are supposed to be given an education, children are supposed to be supported in all their areas of life, and today we’re talking about menstrual hygiene, menstrual health. Parents, take this as a responsibility. This responsibility should not be for only mothers but also fathers.
