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Uganda, Africa

UGA09 - Girl Child Empowerment

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Report Date: June 6, 2018

Report from Touch Africa Now

 

Activity: Training in making reusable menstrual pads

Objective: To improve menstrual hygiene among girls and women of Nyakagando community, Kiryandongo District.

 

Introduction

Training on reusable menstrual pads /napkins was conducted in Nyakagando community on 20th April. The main objective of this training was to improve the menstrual hygiene among girls and women of reproductive age by enabling them to make reusable menstrual pads that are cost effective. This training targeted 60 participants. Women from within and from neighbouring communities like Kitaleba and Nyakakindu attended the training.

Observations

• Targeted number of stake holders and participants turned up for the training as planned.

Experience Shared

• Through open interaction women and girls positively participated in the training by sharing their ideas and experience on the different menstrual pad materials they use and reusable pads were preferred. 

• Women expressed their discomfort using rags since they make them uncomfortable, produce a bad smell and make them stay home until their menstrual days are over to avoid embarrassment which affects their work.

• The presentation carried out by the facilitator on disposable sanitary pads, toilet paper, rags, and newspaper in regard to menstrual flow absorption and leakage, comfort ability, risk of infections, effect to environment and health, poverty reduction, sanitation and personal hygiene was appreciated by the women. They later appreciated sharing their ideas on the advantages and disadvantages of using reusable or disposable menstrual pads. 

• Women shared that they mainly depend on agricultural livelihood income from which they support their families by providing basic needs such as food, clothes, shelter, water, medical care and education. Therefore, with the initiative of introducing and using reusable sanitary pads, women will remain committed in doing their productive work.

Challenges

1) Many women could not walk the long distance to the training location. We suggest that the training team could find them in their villages.

2) The school girls showed a desire to have their own training sessions since they could not freely share their views with the mothers. 

Comments

Finally, this was so important that we were given a chance to work on the reusable menstrual pads program which will improve the menstrual hygiene among girls and women of Nyakagando community. We believe that reusable menstrual pads are more sustainable compared to store bought sanitary pads that contribute to overall household expenditure in terms of purchasing  them, treating infections and disposal.

Reusable menstrual pads will reduce environmental degradation, transform the lives of women and in return transform their communities.