Iganga, Uganda: More than 1,500 students, local leaders and development partners on Wednesday took part in the annual Girl Child Run in Iganga District, a charity marathon aimed at raising funds to produce reusable sanitary pads for vulnerable schoolgirls and reduce school dropout rates.
The annual event attracted learners from schools across Iganga and Jinja districts, alongside charity organisations and community leaders committed to promoting girls’ education and menstrual health.
The five-kilometre run was flagged off by Iganga Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Caroline Kiwala at Iganga Municipal Council Primary School before participants made their way through Iganga Town and finished at Iganga Secondary School.
Addressing participants, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Programme Specialist Florence Tagola Mpabulugi expressed concern over the number of girls in the Busoga sub-region who continue to drop out of school due to poverty, lack of menstrual hygiene products and teenage pregnancies.
She cited findings from an assessment conducted five years ago, which revealed that many girls abandoned school after becoming pregnant, often following exploitation by older men who promised financial support.
“They carried out an assessment five years ago in the region and realized that a number of girls were dropping out of schools as they got pregnant by men who lure them into sex in disguise of helping them,” Tagola said.
She added that economic hardship has forced some parents to send their daughters to look for money, exposing them to sexual exploitation.
“Men usually use the opportunity to exploit them into sexual acts to the extent of giving between 500 and 1,000 shillings, which is regrettable and risky to their lives,” she said.
Tagola pledged UNFPA’s support in introducing new technology for manufacturing sanitary pads using sugarcane husks, an innovation she said is in its final stages of development and could significantly increase access to affordable menstrual products for vulnerable girls.
Assistant RDC Caroline Kiwala urged school-going girls to report cases of sexual abuse and exploitation to teachers, school administrators and relevant authorities for immediate intervention.
Iganga District Education Officer Baker Kasadakawo praised the initiative, saying access to sanitary pads remains a major challenge for many learners.
“The initiative will enable many vulnerable students to complete education as some parents can’t afford the materials due to poverty and negligence,” Kasadakawo said.
Iganga District LC5 Chairperson Swabiru Isabirye pledged the district’s support towards sustaining the project, urging girls to remain focused on their education and avoid distractions that could jeopardise their future.
Meanwhile, Iganga Secondary School Headteacher Monica Nakaziba Kayiira, who also serves as patron of the initiative, said proceeds from the run will be used to purchase sanitary materials and modern tailoring machines for the school’s IGA Hub, where reusable sanitary pads are produced.
“The funds realized will be used to buy sanitary materials and modern tailoring machines at the IGA Hub for production of more pads for donation to various schools in the district,” Kayiira said.
Project Coordinator Andrew Wandera said the production hub, established three years ago, currently manufactures about 150 reusable sanitary pads daily, with plans to increase output to 1,500 pads for distribution to vulnerable learners across schools in the district.
He appealed to organisations, development partners and well-wishers to support the initiative by providing sanitary materials and additional industrial sewing machines to boost production.
The event concluded with participating students from 11 secondary schools receiving reusable sanitary pads, gift packages, medals and tree seedlings to promote environmental conservation.
Schools represented included Kiira College, Kiribaki Secondary School, St Gonzaga Secondary School, Iganga High School, Iganga Parents Secondary School, Bukoyo Secondary School and Namungalwe College, among others.
Community organisations including the Rotary Club of Iganga and Imperial Hospital also participated in the charity run.
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