In Kalangala, an initiative to tackle menstrual hygiene was launched by Brass for Africa. In Uganda, about 84% of adolescent girls, especially in rural settings, practice unsafe menstrual hygiene (Institute of Public Health Uganda). This is mostly attributed to limited access to appropriate menstrual products. Many adolescent girls rely on methods like cloth, pieces of mattress, leaves and banana fibres to manage their menstruation. If the situation is not addressed, the adolescent girls will have increased vulnerability to reproductive tract infections (RTI), school dropouts and stigmatization.
In partnership with the District Health Office, Brass for Africa has introduced regular training for the adolescents in our Health Clubs of Lutoboka, Mwena and Town Council on the use of sanitary pads/towels. The first session took place this month, before the national lockdown, with 75 people attending.
This initiative also allows the girls to have a forum where they can ask questions and learn more about their periods and menstrual health in a safe and supported space. Sanitary towels are distributed in the session and the girls are able to access them from the Brass for Africa office at any time.
