Namukose is a dedicated student at Jinja City College, with big dreams and a deep desire to learn. Yet, each month, she faces a challenge that no girl should have to: the lack of access to sanitary pads and the stigma surrounding menstruation. While it’s a natural part of life, in her community, menstruation remains shrouded in silence and shame. This cultural taboo makes it difficult for Namukose to speak openly about her period or ask for help when she needs it most.
Without access to sanitary products, Namukose often has to make do with unsanitary alternatives like old cloth, cotton, or even leaves, putting her health at risk. The lack of sanitary pads and clean, private facilities at school to manage her period means she has no choice but to stay home when she menstruates, missing vital school days. On average, girls in Uganda miss 8 to 24 school days per year due to menstruation. The absence of sanitary products and facilities results in embarrassment, academic setbacks, and, in many cases, school dropout. This impacts their future prospects, as only about 1 in 5 girls in Uganda completes secondary school, leaving many without the skills and opportunities needed for a better future.
For Namukose, menstruation doesn’t just disrupt her school schedule; it also affects her confidence and sense of dignity. The silence and stigma around menstruation leave her feeling isolated, as she’s unable to talk openly about the issue with her peers or teachers. Yet, despite all these barriers, Namukose remains determined. She continues to study hard, dreaming of a future where menstruation is no longer an obstacle but simply a part of life.
This is where change can happen. Our program, Her Health, Her Future, is designed to address the challenges that young girls like Namukose face. In partnership with RACE Uganda and Days for Girls International, we are tackling the stigma and lack of access to menstrual products in Uganda and beyond. By providing menstrual hygiene products, clean facilities, and basic sex education, we are helping to create a supportive environment where girls can continue their education without fear or shame.
One of the most powerful aspects of Her Health, Her Future is the educational component. Through the program, both boys and girls learn about reproductive health, which is key to building empathy, understanding, and creating safer spaces for girls. By fostering open dialogue about menstruation, the program helps reduce stigma and encourages respect for the natural processes that all girls go through.
The program works with students to perform needs assessments and co-design solutions for female hygiene and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). Students learn how to make reusable pads from locally sourced materials, empowering them with the tools and knowledge to manage menstruation with dignity. These reusable pads are a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative to disposable products, significantly reducing waste and lowering the carbon footprint. Unlike disposable products, which can take 500-800 years to decompose in landfills, reusable pads provide a sustainable solution that supports the local economy while protecting the environment.
By improving sanitary facilities and expanding access to menstrual hygiene products, the program ensures that girls like Namukose have the resources to stay in school and succeed. Not only does Her Health, Her Future address the physical needs of girls, but it also empowers them to continue their education without the fear of menstruation-related shame.
Namukose’s story is just one of many in Uganda, where menstruation continues to disrupt girls’ education. But with the right support, we can change this reality. Through Her Health, Her Future, we are helping young women break the silence, overcome the stigma, and continue their education with confidence and dignity. This program is creating a ripple effect, not only in Uganda but in communities around the world, ensuring that every girl has the tools and support she needs to thrive.
In fact, Her Health, Her Future has already seen tangible results: a 12% increase in student attendance among girls and an 8% increase in graduation rates. These are just the beginning of the changes we can make when we work together to remove the barriers that prevent girls from realizing their full potential.
Let’s work together to create a future where no girl has to miss school because of menstruation, and where every girl, like Namukose, can reach her full potential.
