Advocates for the girl child are urging more support to provide sanitary pads to vulnerable girls in Uganda, highlighting the significant impact this has on keeping them in school.
The call was made during a handover ceremony of 500 reusable sanitary pads to school-going girls at Kitebi Secondary School in Kampala.
The initiative, led by Eco Bank Uganda in partnership with the Uganda Red Cross Society, is part of the broader “Keep A Girl In School” (KAGIS) initiative.
The program seeks to address the challenges faced by underprivileged girls during their menstrual cycle, which often leads to absenteeism and eventual school dropout.
Speaking at the event, Grace Muliisa, the Managing Director of Eco Bank Uganda, emphasized the importance of supporting young girls in their education journey.
“Menstrual health should not be a barrier to education,” Muliisa stated. “By providing these reusable pads, we aim to empower girls to stay in school and pursue their dreams without interruption.”
Muliisa noted that access to affordable sanitary products remains a challenge for many girls from low-income families, a situation exacerbated in rural and underserved areas.
The donation, she said, would help reduce absenteeism caused by lack of sanitary products and contribute to girls’ overall well-being.
The move coincided with celebrations to mark the Eco Bank Day 2024 which also saw a donation of over 2million Shillings granted towards internet access.
The Uganda Red Cross Society also reiterated its commitment to ensuring that more girls across the country have access to sanitary products through the KAGIS initiative.
“Together, we can ensure no girl is left behind because of their natural biological processes,” according to Naphtali Baguma, Head of Logistics, Supply Chain Management at Uganda Red Cross.
“We aim to raise national awareness about menstrual hygiene. This cannot solely rely on donors; we call upon all Ugandans to be part of this humanitarian campaign for the good of our country’s girl child,” Baguma added.
Hajji Kamulegeya Muhammad, Headteacher of Kitebi Senior Secondary School, emphasized the value of these collaborations: “With the support of organizations like Ecobank and the Red Cross, we can continue to enhance the educational experience and ensure our students have the necessary tools to succeed.”
The call for increased support comes as advocates continue to push for policies that make sanitary products more accessible and affordable to all girls in Uganda.