MP Nyakato launches campaign for reusable sanitary towels for school going girls

HOIMA – In a bid to promote retention of the girl child in school and completion of primary seven; Hoima City Woman Member of Parliament Asinasi Nyakato has launched a campaign to offer reusable soft sanitary towels to school girls in all government aided primary schools in the area.

Nyakato launched the campaign in Hoima West division in Kiduma BCS, Kirisa, Nyarugabu, Karongo, Buswekera, Paranjoki and Bulemwa primary schools.

The lawmaker is offering the sanitary pads to pupils in primary five, six and seven.

Speaking during the launch of the campaign, the law maker noted that many parents were unable to provide sanitary towels to their children because they think they are expensive.

She adds that despite the government’s effort to ensure affordability of such necessities for women and girls, they were still out of reach especially for pupils in rural schools which has led to school dropouts.

Nyakato who provided reusable sanitary towels under the theme “Menstrual Periods Are Normal and Healthy, Please Keep in School”, encouraged girls not be stigmatized by menstruation, saying that it is a normal biological process.

She challenged parents and teachers to always get time to talk to young girls approaching adolescent age to prepare them for the menstruation period.

“If a parent can fail to buy for their child a book of Shs500, will that parent afford to buy sanitary towels of Shs3000? The answer is no, many girls have dropped out of school because of being stigmatized when they go into their periods without having sanitary towels to help them.  So, the pads we are giving out is one of our campaigns to promote education of the girl child,” she explained

Nyakato also noted that the government Assurance Committee of Parliament is following up on the president’s pledge to offer free sanitary pads to school girls. President Museveni during the 2016 general campaigns pledged to offer free pads to school girls but to date nothing has been done.

She noted that the issue of sanitary towels for the school going girls is a concern for almost the entire country, adding that the assurance committee is pushing to ensure the President’s pledge is implemented.

Joseph Kamuhanda and Paruth Kyaligonza, Headteachers of Bulemwa and Paranjwoki Primary Schools commended Hoima City Member of Parliament Nyakato for the donation arguing that many children lack such sanitary facilities.

They noted that despite sensitizing and encouraging parents to provide children with sanitary towels, most parents have not adhered to the call as many give excuses of being financially vulnerable.

A baseline survey by Plan Uganda in 2018 shows that at least 18% of girls reported missing school because of menstruation.

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