Govt told to provide free sanitary pads to girls

 BY CAROLINE ARIBA

As soon their menstrual period shows face, 29.7% of Ugandan girls in primary schools will skip school, research has shown.   

The country director, Build Africa, a non-governmental organization that deals in Education, Specioza Kiwanuka said this has become a matter of great concern.

She was Wednesday addressing Members of Parliament on the Parliamentary committee on education, senior women teachers and other stake holders at Fairway hotel in Kampala.

Of the 80 days allocated for a school term, research shows that girls who cannot afford sanitary pads will miss school for about 20 days.

Wakiso district MP Rosemary Sseninde, the Chairperson Parliamentary Forum on quality education asked the government to provide free sanitary towels to girls.

“Like it gives out free condoms, why doesn’t the government at least see to it that girls especially in rural primary schools get free pads?” She said.  

A senior female teacher, Annet Igonyo said that if nothing is done quickly, many of the girls will seek solace from the eager arms of the male population.