Kamuli, Uganda: Lack of private and hygienic “Safe Rooms” in schools continues to hinder girls’ education and dignity during menstruation, contributing to school absenteeism, stigma, and even early pregnancies, health and education officials in Kamuli District have warned.
Health experts and girls’ rights advocates have rallied public support for the establishment of designated sanitary spaces, particularly Safe Rooms, in schools and workplaces, arguing that such spaces are a basic need, not a luxury.
Speaking to DailyExpress, Nabutono Angella, the Kamuli District Health Educator, said girls face severe discomfort and stigma during their periods, and the absence of Safe Rooms often compels them to skip school or drop out entirely.
“It is everybody’s responsibility, regardless of gender, to ensure schools have safe changing rooms for girls. These rooms allow them to clean themselves, change sanitary towels, and maintain their dignity,” Nabutono said.
The DHE explained that a typical menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days, with periods lasting between 2 to 7 days. During this time, girls experience pain, cramps, and emotional fluctuations, making clean, private spaces essential.
Nabutono emphasized that the Safe Rooms must be equipped with water, soap, a basin, and emergency sanitary towels, and serve as spaces for girls to wash reusable pads, change knickers, and bathe. Without such facilities, she said, the girls become vulnerable to isolation, myths, and misconceptions that contribute to early marriage and pregnancy.
“People tell girls not to sit on chairs, not to cook, such myths breed stigma. They make girls feel like outcasts,” she added. “This is why we’re urging both parents and schools to take menstrual health seriously.”
Namatende Carlo, a girls’ rights activist, pointed out that many school toilets are dirty and unhygienic, and once sanitary pads fill up, girls have no place to change discreetly. “When a pad gets full, you feel uncomfortable and can’t focus in class. That’s why we need Safe Rooms in both primary and secondary schools,” she said.
Like Namatendo, Malandi Vivian, a student at Central College Kamuli, urges every stakeholder to advocate for safe menstrual spaces to help girls stay in school during their periods. “Being clean during menstruation is part of self-care. We need a room where we can change and continue learning without shame,” she said.
The DHE, Ms Nabutono, has since called on parents, especially fathers and male guardians, to take active responsibility in buying sanitary pads and educating their daughters on menstrual health, just like mothers do.
“Men should not shy away. Providing sanitary towels and talking about periods should not be left to women alone,” she stressed.
About Menstraution
Menstruation, also known as a period, is a natural and healthy process in women and girls of reproductive age. It involves the shedding of the uterine lining, which is rich in blood vessels and prepares for a potential pregnancy. Menstruation typically begins between the ages of 10 and 16, and can continue until menopause, which usually occurs around age 50.
Menstrual cycle typically averages around 28 days but can range from 21 to 35 days, with periods usually lasting between 2 to 7 days. During this period, many girls and women face a lot of difficulties and challenges, like pain, cramps, hormonal imbalance, etc., and need to get privacy and safe rooms where they can change and wash during their menstruation period.
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