Rukungiri– In Uganda, Menstruation is one of the leading factors contributing to the increasing school dropout among the rural school going girls.
Many girls in rural schools, miss school and some eventually drop out because they cannot afford sanitary pads that would have saved them from the embarrassing leaks during their menstruation periods. The pads also help them in maintaining good hygiene during their periods.
A research recently conducted by TIK Foundation in Kigezi sub-region rural schools revealed the alarming statistics and impact this issue has on girl child retention in schools and completion.
On average, the report revealed that out of the 80 days allocated to a school term, 29.7 percent of the adolescent girls miss a minimum of four days per cycle.
This also includes examination days, important class presentations and the introduction of new topics.
It is from this background that TIK Foundation a non-governmental organization that tackles menstrual health stigma among school going girls in primary levels has offered a support of sanitary pads to over 3000 girls from 12 primary schools in Rukungiri district.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, an event that took place at Ruruku primary school in Western division Rukungiri municipality a few days ago, Ms Ingrid Turinawe Kamateneki, the director of TIK Foundation said this initiative is aiming at reducing school absenteeism and improving menstrual hygiene education for young girls in Uganda’s marginalized communities.
‘’This initiative was started to empower girls to responsibility for their sexual and reproductive health as part of the love to ensure that the country reaches sustainable goals because for a long time, many girls have been facing reproductive challenges with many poor girls from far to reach and marginalized communities often missing schools whenever they hit their period days’’. Ms Kanateneki said.
Ms Kanateneki added that “the initiative is also focusing on empowering young girls to take responsibility of their sexual and reproductive health because we believe that investing in young people is essential even for the country to achieve sustainable development goals.”
“We are all aware that girls in rural areas miss school when they are in their period, not because they want but it is because they do not get the sanitary well. So this is where we come in as TIK foundation to assist these girls ‘’. She added.
Ms Grace Tusingwire, a senior woman teacher at Rukondo primary school welcomed the initiative saying that lack of sanitary pads has been the school’s biggest challenge and it could affect the performance of girls both in class and outside.
‘’ For sure I can’t thank you enough because this is a very big relief. As a school we have been struggling to handle girls during their menstrual periods but with these pads the situation is going to change and our girls are now relieved ’’. Ms Tusingwire said.
Ms Gorreti Nampamya, a senior woman teacher at Kashozi primary school praised TIK Foundation for the donation of sanitary pads confirming that many girls were relying on leaking and inadequate clothing as alternative during their menstrual pads.
‘’At times our girls would skip school or miss lessons and this affects their academic performance. So we thank TIK Foundation for this donation ‘’ Mr Nampamya said.
Ms Eunice Atuheire, a senior teacher at Ruruku primary school hailed TIK Foundation for the generous contribution saying that this initiative will help girls to focus more on their studies.
‘’Our school is in a rural set up and most of our learners here come from poor families where provision of sanitary pads is a very struggle. It is because of this point that I want to thank TIK foundation for thinking our girls’’. She noted.
Ms Annet Tumukunde, the Acting school head teacher at Ruruku primary school appreciated the sanitary pad donation and the sensitization sessions noting that lack of knowledge and menstrual care has fueled absenteeism , stigma and poor academic performance among girls .
‘’We are very much happy for this donation, our girls are now free to study throughout the term because there is nothing to worry. We are now well equipped ‘’ Ms Tumukunde said.
About TIK Foundation.
TIK Foundation is a non-governmental organization that offers a variety of voluntary services like human rights promotion, road safety advisory services, safe motherhood programs, education support and organizing sports activities and it operates in the districts of In Kigezi, Bukedi, Buganda and Bunyoro regions
