SANITARY TOWELS FOR GIRLS IN RURAL SCHOOLS

Dear Donors, supporters and partners,

Many adolescent girls across Uganda continue to experience shame, silence, and misinformation around menstruation. A big number are afraid or embarrassed to say they are menstruating, often due to teasing and stigma from boys who lack accurate knowledge about menstrual health. This silence and ridicule undermine girls’ confidence and contribute to a culture where menstruation is treated as something shameful rather than a normal biological process.

Our engagements with communities and schools have also shown that many girls do not know how to manage menstrual pain or what steps to take when they experience discomfort. Harmful myths persist, including the dangerous belief that sexual activity can relieve period pain. This misinformation exposes girls to manipulation, exploitation, and early sexual activity, placing them at risk of teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and emotional harm.

In response to these challenges, Joy for Children Uganda has continued to prioritize menstrual health awareness as part of our child protection and empowerment initiatives. We have held interactive learning sessions with girls to provide accurate information on menstrual hygiene, pain management, and emotional support. Recognizing that boys play a critical role in shaping attitudes, we have also included them in these conversations. Engaging boys has helped reduce mockery and foster a sense of understanding and respect, promoting a supportive environment for girls both in school and at home.

Through this approach, young people are becoming more confident in talking about menstruation, dispelling myths, and treating the subject with dignity. Girls are increasingly expressing their experiences openly, while boys are demonstrating greater sensitivity and awareness. These changes contribute to safer, more inclusive learning and community environments where menstruation is not seen as a source of shame, but as a normal and healthy part of growing up.

Joy for Children Uganda remains committed to ensuring that menstrual health education continues to reach more young people. We appreciate the support and partnership of our donors and stakeholders, whose contributions make it possible for us to promote knowledge, dignity, and confidence among children across Uganda.