Kamuli, Uganda: A group of youth in Kamuli District under their umbrella organization Bridge of Smiles has donated sanitary pads to Primary Seven girls ahead of their final UNEB examinations next week.
Led by Babisi Godfrey, the youth handed over four boxes of sanitary pads to pupils of Edirumamwino Primary School in Balawoli Town Council, Kamuli District.
Babisi said the initiative was prompted by the realization that many girls in rural communities lack access to safe menstrual products, often resorting to rags and sponges that pose health risks.
“We had to intervene after realizing that these girls can’t afford to buy safe sanitary pads. As youth, we collected some funds and bought these sanitary towels to help our young sisters stay in school during the examination period,” Babisi said.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that girls are comfortable during exams, noting that menstruation-related challenges can undermine their confidence and performance. “It is good for our girls to be comfortable, because when it happens in the middle of exams and they have nothing to use, it makes them lose confidence,” Babisi added.
Tiwakwira Oliva, another member of the Bridge of Smiles, revealed that the group has also been training girls in various schools on how to make reusable sanitary pads as a sustainable solution. “Most of our girls come from humble families and find it hard to buy sanitary pads, so we’re equipping them with skills to make reusable ones to keep them in school,” she explained.
Tiwakwira also urged parents—especially fathers—to actively support their daughters’ menstrual health needs, saying menstruation is a normal and healthy process that should not be stigmatized.
The headteacher of Edirumamwino Primary School, Mrs. Ndibogeza Betty, commended the youth group for their compassionate gesture. “This is a sign of love and care. I want to thank you for thinking about these girls. We shall ensure they use these pads during and after their examinations,” she said.
Lack of access to sanitary pads remains one of the leading causes of school dropout and early pregnancy among girls in the Busoga sub-region.
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