Mayuge girls sacrifice clothes to manage periods
Girls at Victorious Junior School in Mayugo display sanitary pads donated by NGO, Good Heart, after learning they often used makeshift cloths.PHOTO | DENIS EDEMA
What you need to know:
- Many girls resort to cutting up old clothes into makeshift pads, leading to frequent infections, school absenteeism, and growing shame.
Young schoolgirls in Mayuge District, Eastern Uganda, are forced to make difficult choices to manage their menstrual periods due to limited support from parents.
Many girls, like 13-year-old Ritah, resort to cutting up old clothes into makeshift pads, leading to frequent infections, school absenteeism, and growing shame.
Ritah explained that she feels compelled to use makeshift pads because she fears staining her clothes and being ridiculed by her peers.
"If I don't, I'll stain myself and the boys will laugh," she said, highlighting the stigma and embarrassment surrounding menstruation.
Susan, a 15-year-old Primary 7 student, shared her experience of approaching her aunt about her first period. Instead of receiving support and guidance, her aunt suggested she should get married.
"I took matters into my own hands, using a razor blade to cut one of my blouses into makeshift pads," Susan said, illustrating the lack of understanding and support many girls face.
The lack of access to sanitary pads is a significant challenge for many girls in the community. Ms Minsa Atoire, Senior Woman Teacher at Victorious Junior School in Luyira Village, Imaniro sub-county in Mayuge District, said the issue is common but underreported.
"The problem is common but underreported, and it has remained a silent crisis, leading to dropout of girls from school while others stop coming to school during their periods," Ms Atoire said.
Many girls in the community live in households where menstruation is rarely discussed. Some parents dismiss it as unimportant, while others say they can't afford sanitary pads. As a result, girls are forced to improvise, using scraps of cloth, old rags, or sometimes nothing at all, leading to painful consequences like frequent infections, missed school days, and growing shame.
However, some organizations are stepping in to address this issue. Golden Heart, a non-governmental organization that supports orphans, children, and women with disabilities, donated assorted items, including sanitary pads, to Victorious Junior School. The school has a high number of orphans and children with mothers living with disabilities, and many students rely on the kindness of community members to support their education.
Mr Ivan Magala, Programmes Manager at Golden Heart, said the organization became aware of the issue after a member highlighted the struggles girls in Mayuge, especially in rural areas, faced in managing their menstrual periods.
"We've seen a high demand for sanitary pads, and the stories the girls have shared reveal the stigma they face during their periods," Mr. Magala said, emphasizing the need for continued support.
Health experts warn that using old clothes as sanitary pads can lead to unhealthy menstrual hygiene, putting girls at risk of vaginal infections. Mr. Hilary Clive Talemwa, a Medical Clinical Officer and Program Officer for Health at Sajida Foundation, explained that used clothes have poor absorbing capacity for menstrual blood and are often dirty.
"Used old clothes have poor absorbing capacity for menstrual blood and are often dirty, putting girls at risk of vaginal infections like yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis, which can lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease if left untreated," Mr Talemwa said.
