Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has appealed for the skilling of both boys and girls on the management of menstrual hygiene to reduce school absenteeism coming from menstrual stigma in Lira District while she was launching reusable sanitary pads.
Menstruation, according to Aceng, is a normal biological occurrence that parents should not be afraid to address with their children.
“Because the boys are the future husbands and the girls will be the future wives, if you skill the girls and forget the boys, we shall have bad husbands, yet we don’t want broken families to build our country, Uganda,” Dr. Aceng said.
She launched the distribution of free reusable sanitary pads to 130 government-aided schools in partnership with Plan Uganda International and Communication for Development Foundation Uganda (CDFU) at Barapwo Primary School, where students showcased their skills in menstrual hygiene management.
According to Dr. Aceng, 13,000 girls will be reached through Plan International Uganda and CDFU, which will provide reusable sanitary towels to girls in government-funded schools.
Plan International Uganda asked teachers to embed the programme in the school programmes and mostly involve the boy child since menstruation is healthy and part of growth.
Dr. Aceng extended her thanks to Plan International and CDFU for their unwavering support in empowering young girls and ensuring their continued access to education.
