Distribution of Reusable Sanitary Pads and Awareness Raising on Menstrual Hygiene

A4HU continued to raise awareness on menstrual hygiene in 59 schools and distributed reusable sanitary towels to 1774 girls in reproductive age.

The girls were further empowered to attend to menstruation without shame, ensuring they can experience their periods with dignity and fulfil their sexual and reproductive health and rights. The intervention is hoped to improve school attendance for girls and consequently reduce school dropout rates.

Nakajubi Christine, 15 from Bakijjulula Primary School is among the many beneficiaries on menstrual hygiene awareness activities. She also received reusable pads from A4HU. Through these activities, Nakajubi says she has learnt how to keep clean and encourages her peers to wash their hands after visiting the toilet. She also learnt how to use pads which keeps her in school even when she is in her periods.

“In the past, I would stay at home when I go into my periods. I used to use a cloth which would let blood through which made other pupils laugh at me at school. But now I got pads from A4HU and learnt how to use them. I now regularly attend classes,” Nakajubi noted.  “I want to become a teacher when I grow up” she says of her vision for the future.

A4HU provided technical assistance to teachers through mentorships on promotion of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and sexuality education. The mentorships were premised on the fact that menstrual hygiene management is an important component of a “WASH-friendly school” and therefore an integral aspect of learning not only for teachers but also for the students. Teachers’ capacities were further built to manage aspects of providing students with basic information on puberty, menstruation, menstrual hygiene management, youth and gender friendly communication. Mentored teachers will be supported to cascade knowledge on menstrual hygiene management in schools through engaging school health clubs.

Because of the training they got from A4HU, Najjembe Proscovia, Senior Woman Teacher, Bakijjulula Primary Schools revealed that they were about to form a school health club. The club does health talks on menstrual hygiene for both girls and boys including career guidance and counselling which she notes has reduced fear and improved school attendance for girls. 

“Before A4HU came to our school, girls used to miss school when they go into menstruation. Absenteeism among girls used to be high, they used to miss lessons which ultimately affected their performance,” Najjembe says. According to the senior woman teacher, there was also high school dropout rate among girls because of stigmatisation mostly by boys when they went into menstruation.

“Girls who go into menstruation have now learnt how to manage themselves which has reduced on dropout rates. In fact, there are more girls than boys in classes today,” Najjembe.

There was also high school dropout rate among girls because they used to be stigmatised by mostly boys because of going into menstruation according to the senior woman teacher.