By KT Reporter
War Victims & Children Networking Initiative, in conjunction with CLITAD International, has supported Madi Opei Primary School in Kitgum district with 100 reusable sanitary pads and an additional Shs100,000 for the purchase of soaps to keep the pads clean.
In an interview with URN, Stella Lanam Angel, the Director of War Victims & Children Networking, noted that they did research and found that many girls in Madi Opei Sub County lack basic menstrual hygiene materials.
Lanam further noted that many parents could not provide the necessary menstrual kits for the girl child, forcing many young girls to seek them from old men and boys who would willingly offer them in exchange for their bodies.
She explained that the poverty level among the community members in Madi Opei Sub County makes it difficult for parents to provide for the girl child, and many girls drop out of school due to fear of being mocked by fellow pupils during their menstrual cycles.
Lanam, however, urged the young girls to stay focused and reject being lured into sexual approaches by boys and old men in exchange for their bodies. She appealed to the girls to report such men and boys to their senior women teachers or matrons and not give them time.
Rose Adumo, the acting senior woman teacher at Madi Opei Primary School, confirmed to URN that one of the major challenges for the girls at the school is access to menstrual care kits, which they cannot afford.
Adumo revealed that when they hold meetings with the girls, they usually confess that some of their parents do not provide the necessary menstrual care kits, and when they ask for them, they are told to choose between education and the kits.
Adumo further noted that the lack of menstrual care kits has forced many young girls to quit their studies and get married at an early age—not because they want to, but because they do not have the necessary care provided to them.
She added that parents in the community do not see the future in girl-child education, and the majority would rather the girl child stay home and get married than remain in school.
In rural schools, many girls lack access to affordable or readily available sanitary products, forcing them to use unhygienic alternatives or miss school during their periods, leading to lower attendance rates and educational attainment for the girl child-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
