Family & Parenting
Over 1000 packets of sanitary pads donated to girls, women
“We believe that a sanitary pad is not a luxury; it is a human necessity because many school girls, especially in rural areas, often miss classes or are forced to stay home during their menstrual periods because they lack access to sanitary pads,” Mugisha said.
The Vice President Jessica Alupo visiting the Softcare stall during the exhibition at Kololo. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)
By: Eddie Ssejjoba, Journalists @New Vision
KAMPALA - Softcare Uganda Limited, specialising in manufacturing hygiene products Sunday, March 08, donated at least 1,500 sachets of sanitary pads to girls and women at the International Women’s Day celebrations.
The gesture is part of the company’s contribution in support of menstrual hygiene and a symbol to reaffirm its commitment to supporting communities and empowering women and girls to live healthy, confident, and productive lives.
Softcare workers at a stall inside the exhibition tent at Kololo. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)
This was also done in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and the Government of Uganda in celebrating the International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Kololo Independence Grounds.
The Vice President, Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, was the guest of honour at a function where she represented President Yoweri Museveni.
The company's Deputy Managing Director, Festo Mugisha, said that their Special focus was on school-going girls who turned up at the national function. “We felt that it would be noble for us to appreciate the women and girls who attended the women's celebrations by giving some of them a packet of sanitary pads,” he explained.
Hanifa Nabukenya from Softcare giving out pads to women. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)
The majority of those who received the sachets included elderly women, who said that although they no longer use the towels, they would pass them over to their daughters and granddaughters.
Some came back for more , although management insisted on one person, one packet. Each packet costs sh2,000 and contains eight pads.
“The donation was intended to support menstrual hygiene. It is one of our targets to support girls to remain confident and active at school,” he said, adding that International Women’s Day is always an important moment to recognise and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in their respective societies.
“We believe that a sanitary pad is not a luxury; it is a human necessity because many school girls, especially in rural areas, often miss classes or are forced to stay home during their menstrual periods because they lack access to sanitary pads,” he said, adding that their contribution was small but a meaningful step in demonstrating the
importance of menstrual hygiene to the girl child.
The initiative formed part of Softcare’s broader corporate social responsibility program focused on promoting menstrual hygiene management, supporting the education of girls, and improving access to essential hygiene products across Uganda.