SANITARY TOWELS FOR GIRLS IN RURAL SCHOOLS

During emergencies as a result of floods, war and mudslides, attention is mostly drawn to food supplies for the displaced persons ignoring the women and girls who cannot access sanitary products in the camps.

In May 2020, areas around Mt.Ruwenzori in Kasese district, western Uganda were hit by flash floods that destroyed schools, hospitals, houses and gardens leading to the displacement of more than 1200 households who were later relocated to different settlements.

Following the outbreak of these floods, thousands of households were displaced and in December 2020, the office of the Prime Minister together with Kasese district local government temporarily relocated the displaced persons to 6 camps with Muhokya camp being the biggest with 289 households which is also the transit camp.

According to the Internally Displaced Monitoring Center(IDMC, 2019) around 16.1 million people in the world were displaced in 2018 because of weather –related events; among them 33 %( 5.4 million) were displaced by floods.

According to the office of the prime Minister, disaster department, 65,250 people have been displaced by floods. (Uganda –Flood Impact Mobility Assessment, 4th-28^th may 2020)

On 10^th October 2021,Joy for Children-Uganda in partnership with Birungi Charities visited displaced persons at Kanyangeya Primary School which is currently a home to 300 displaced persons. They are mostly women, teenage girls and children. We distributed 600 packets of pads, 100 books about menstrual hygiene and a session with the girls on how they can keep safe from teenage pregnancies. We were led by the district Planner Mr.Singoma who stressed the need for proving sanitary towels to the girls.

“Some of our young girls are lured into bad habits such as prostitution so as to get money for sanitary towels, it is very unfortunate”. He said.

The girls explained the unfortunate situation they encounter to access sanitary wear.

“End of every month is the most devastating time for me, because first of all we live in a crowded classroom which we share with men, young boys, women and even very young children. We do not have private washrooms so when we are on our period, it is very easy for other people to notice”, Masika (not real name)

The young girls appeal to all well-wishers to come to their rescue so that they can menstruate with dignity and are able to go back to school next year. The only sustainable solution is to train these young girls and women on making reusable sanitary towels which can be made possible by your kind donations.

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