Centenary Bank, in partnership with Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) have donated sanitary towels worth Ugx 10m to vulnerable girls at St Ponsiano Primary School and St Mary’s Primary School located in Kampala.
The executive director of Centenary bank, Joseph Balikuddembe, lauded the government through the ministry of Education and Sports for spearheading the Menstrual Health Management initiative.
According to him, the initiative has empowered the girl child with knowledge and information on handling oneself during the menstrual cycle and highlights the plight of girls missing school due to lack of sanitary towels.
Balikuddembe added that despite the fight for girls’ stay in schools, most of them leave the premises due to lack of essential sanitary towels because of various reasons like stigmatization and bullying from mates during menstruation.
“Most times when their dresses get dirty, they get bullied and most of them find no reason to stay in school when they are tormented and ashamed, that’s why we are here to make sure our future prominent people don’t leave school because of lacking towels,” he commented.
The Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) conducted a research in 140 primary schools in seven districts of Uganda, that revealed 77% of girls missing school between two to three days during their monthly periods
According to this research, 61% of girls, according to senior women, have dropped out of school due to menstrual management.
The director urged all civil society organizations and private corporate entities to work hand in hand with the government and ensure the girl child stays in school.
The secretary-general of URCS, Robert Kwesiga, said the cause is under the ‘Keep a girl in School’ initiative that was launched in 2019.
Kwesiga expressed his gratitude to the bank for championing the project and ensuring that the towels are delivered to these girls at the right time, especially after the two tough lockdowns.
He also explained that reusable pads can last for a year and this will save girls from the costs of buying others.
Hellen Amolo Eteru, the headteacher of St. Ponsiano Primary school said the donation has given an opportunity for girls not to miss school. He called upon the boys to assist girls while they are menstruating instead of bullying them.
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