Nakiwate, Nakifuma
The village of Nakiwate in Nakifuma Mukono District is grappling with a high dropout rate among schoolgirls, largely due to the inability to afford sanitary pads. This challenge has been exacerbated by the economic hardships faced by parents, forcing many girls to miss school or drop out entirely when they reach puberty.
At Nakiwate Church of Uganda Primary School, a government-aided institution, the dropout rate among girls is alarming. Out of the 132 female students enrolled, many have been forced to leave school due to the lack of access to sanitary products.
Florence Sanyu, the headteacher of the school, explained that many girls stop attending school once they reach puberty. Some are forced into early marriages, while others resort to risky behaviors, such as engaging in transactional relationships with men to afford basic necessities. Others use unhygienic alternatives like leaves or old clothes, which pose serious health risks.
In a bid to address this issue, the Rotary Club of Sonde recently donated reusable sanitary pads to over 100 girls at the school. This initiative has brought hope to both the students and the school administration, as it aims to keep girls in school and ensure they maintain proper hygiene.
Harriet Nakabirwa, the senior women teacher at the school, expressed her gratitude for the donation. She highlighted the challenges she faced in counseling the girls and emphasized how the reusable pads would help reduce absenteeism and dropout rates.
Harriet Nakaweesi, a representative from the Rotary Club of Sonde, explained that the donation was part of a broader effort to support girls’ education. The club has been visiting various schools to educate girls on hygiene and distribute reusable pads. Their goal is to provide pads to 2,000 girls, ensuring they can stay in school and focus on their studies.
Margaret Nsubuga, a parent and community member, praised the Rotary Club for its intervention. She noted that many girls had previously dropped out of school due to the lack of sanitary products and the stigma surrounding menstruation. The donation, she said, would go a long way in keeping girls in school and improving their future prospects.
The students who received the pads expressed their joy and gratitude, stating that the donation would help them stay in school and perform better academically. They shared how the lack of sanitary products had previously caused them to miss classes, affecting their education and self-esteem.
The initiative by the Rotary Club of Sonde has brought much-needed relief to the girls of Nakiwate Church of Uganda Primary School. However, the broader issue of menstrual hygiene management in rural schools remains a pressing challenge that requires sustained efforts from the government, NGOs, and the community.
