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This project aims to empower girls today for a secure future by creating a supportive and girl-friendly school environment. It focuses on improving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities to ensure sustainable Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and promote positive hygiene practices.
In Uganda, girls face significant obstacles in completing their education. One major challenge is the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and facilities. Studies show that only 22% of Ugandan girls are enrolled in secondary school, compared to 91% in primary school. Approximately 65% of women and girls, particularly in rural areas, cannot afford sanitary pads. As a result, many school-age girls stay home during menstruation, missing valuable learning time.
According to the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) 2020 report, about half of girl pupils miss 1 to 3 days of school each month due to menstruation, translating to 8 to 24 lost school days annuallyâ€"roughly 11% of their learning time, which increased to 18% in the 2023 report. Over 60% of girls report needing better facilities, while stigma, limited knowledge among boys, and insufficient support from male teachers further undermine MHM.
The situation is particularly dire in Soroti District, where 152 water points have been abandoned for over five years. Safe water coverage in the district is estimated to be 61% or lower, depending on the sub-county. Ocokican Sub-County, home to Teso Day and Boarding Primary School, is among the most affected areas, facing broken infrastructure and a pressing water crisis.
Project Objectives:
1. Increase awareness and knowledge of menstrual hygiene management among learners, families, and teachers at Teso Boarding Primary School by 2026.
2. Equip 806 learners (437 girls and 360 boys) with skills to make reusable sanitary pads, bar soap, and Vaseline by 2026.
3. Construct an approved menstrual hygiene facility (washroom) for girls at Teso Boarding Primary School.
4. Improve access to safe water for 1,246 learners and the surrounding community.
Intended Activities and Outputs:
- Train 20 teachers (both male and female) and 400 pupils on menstrual hygiene management.
- Train one Water User Committee (comprising 9â€"12 members) on their roles and responsibilities.
- Train 15 members of the School Health Club (SHC) on WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and menstrual hygiene management.
- Train 400 pupils and 20 teachers in making soap and Vaseline for hygiene and menstrual care.
- Construct a new water source to serve the school and the community.
- Provide education and self-help skills for producing hygiene products, such as soap and sanitary pads.
This project will benefit over 1,246 individuals, including pupils (both girls and boys), teachers, and community members. The project aims to enhance sanitation and menstrual hygiene education, as well as provide skills for producing hygiene products like soap and sanitary pads.
The initiative was developed in response to a request from the school management and a needs assessment conducted within the community. This project is expected to increase school attendance, retention, and achievement among both young female and male pupils, thereby playing a significant role in women's empowerment and social and economic development. The project will consider schools as organized points for training and is projected to cost $ 32,000
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