A deeper understanding of the challenges girls encounter during menstruation.

In our campaign to Break the silence, make periods normal for girls, on Thursday 16th August 2018, we visited Kisoga Mumyuka P/S to understand the challenges pupils encounter during menstruation. This started with a discussion on menstruation, menstrual cycle, myths and stigma around menstruation. We were in position to understand some of the challenges girls encounter during menstruation.

Girls noted that most parents failed to provide sanitary materials, making attending school hard. Worse still, girls noted that they lacked nickers and so are forced to use wet nickers during their periods which is not only uncomfortable but unhealthy. Where parents provide clothes as an alternative, these clothes cannot hold blood the whole day at school forcing girls to study half day or not study at all. Some girls noted that while they use clothes as pads, they have to share these clothes with their siblings so when their periods coincide, it remains a challenge. 

The picture is worse for girls staying with step parents who reported that the home environment was tense so talking about menstruation or asking for sanitary materials was hard. Accessing the necessary materials is by chance.   

Pupils further noted that parents don’t want to listen to them and so children find it a challenge to share with their parents challenges they encounter during menstruation. Some pupils noted that their parents don’t keep secrets so sharing the challenges they encounter does not seem helpful.

Every day we learn what young girls go through during their periods, our next move is to hold a discussion with parents on how best we can handle the above challenges. For suggestions, ideas, please contact us : admin@ncduganda.org