Teenage pregnancies and child marriages are critical issues affecting adolescent girls in Kween and Bukwo Districts. Girls continue to face disruptions in their education and social lives due to a lack of access to affordable and safe menstrual hygiene products. This lack often leads to missed school days, which can increase the risk of teenage pregnancies and early marriages.
Malaika Reusable Pads with support from Action Aid Uganda and UNFPA carried out an initiative to address the issue. The initiative was intended to promote quality, eco-friendly reusable sanitary pads as a means to restore girls’ dignity, empower girls to stay in school and reduce their vulnerability to early marriages.
A total of 3 schools benefitted from the initiative including Kapkwere PS, Chemwania PS and Chebinyiny PS. 200 girls each received a packet of reusable sanitary pads to enable them stay in school and pursue their dreams. Additionally the girls received trainings on menstrual health and hygiene management. School clubs were established in the respective schools to provide a safe space for the girls to continue sharing experiences on how to make healthy life choices as they navigate through puberty. The Red Box initiative was also introduced in the schools. This box contains emergency sanitary pads given to girls so that they do not have to skip class or return home in case their periods come unexpectedly.
According to Ms. Dorothy Awori the Executive Director of Malaika Reusable Pads the initiative has brought onboard several actors including community leaders. It is through these leaders that the fight against early marriage and teenage pregnancy will be sustained in the community. These include; parents, teachers, Village Health Teams, School Management Committee and religious leaders.
Ms Chebet Rose the Senior Woman Teacher of Kapkwere PS in Kween district expressed gratitude to Action Aid Uganda for supporting the initiative. “Many of our girls have been missing school because of lack of pads. With this initiative we hope that we shall realize increased school attendance and less early marriages among the girls” she adds.
Mrs Cherop Sylvia a parent of Chebinyiny PS in Bukwo admits that most parents are not actively engaged in supporting the education of their children. “With the newly launched community campaign we hope to mobilise parents in the community to fight vices like early marriage and keep their children in school’ She adds.
