Hope for education as schools get pads in Adjumani district.
Hundreds of school girls in Adjumani district have received a boost to their education through the distribution of reusable sanitary pads, bringing hope and diginity to the learners who miss school due to menstrual products.
Through the initiative led by UNFPA in partnership with Diamond Trust Bank, learners of Mungula primary and secondary schools received sanitary pads under the SAY program with the aim of reducing absenteeism among the girls and promoting menstrual health awareness.
Speaking at the event, Musasira Cassius head of sustainability and citizenship at Diamond Trust Bank emphasized that the bank’s commitment to promoting adolescent girls health and education through distribution of menstrual kits.
“Diamond Trust bank has committed in promoting adolescent girls health and education through distribution of menstrual kits, says Musasira Cassius, the head of sustainability and citizenship at DTB”.
Musasira Cassius added that the bank has committed 106,000 USD to at least keep 10,000 girls in school because all stakeholders are aware that over 1.2 million of the girls struggle with the challenge of menstrual periods.
“The bank has committed 106,000 USD to keep at least 10,000 girls in school as we are all aware that at least over 1.2 million girls struggle with the challenge of menstrual periods, added Musasira Cassius”.
Addressing the learners, Maya Hansen, UNFPA SAY program coordinator explained that the initiative aims at bridging the gaps
in menstrual health that affect girl child education.
“The initiative aims at bridging the gaps in menstrual health that affect girl child education, says Maya Hansen, UNFPA SAY program coordinator”.
The chairperson LC 5 Adjumani district Anyama Ben, appreciated the initiative taken by UNFPA and Diamond Trust Bank and called for its sustainability through implementing partners like Naguru Teenage Centre and others to reduce the school dropout rates as well as teenage pregnancy.
“I want to thank and appreciate the initiative taken by UNFPA and Diamond Trust Bank to see all girls do not miss school during their menstruation and I call for sustainability of this program through the implementing partners like Naguru Teenage Centre and the others to see that the school dropout rates are reduced as well as teenage pregnancy, said Anyama Ben LC 5 Adjumani district”.
According to Edema Justin, the head-teacher, Mungula secondary school, many girls in the area miss school due to lack of sanitary products and lack of knowledge on sexual reproductive health information.
Aber Gladys a senior three (3) student of Mungula secondary school appreciated the partners for promoting menstrual health in the school of which has contributed dropout rates of many girls from school.
The initiative was part of UNFPA SAY program, multi-years partnership with the Royal Danish Embassy implemented by Naguru Teenage Centre in Adjumani district aimed at improving sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) and address the high rates of teenage pregnancy.
