West Nile leaders unite to end menstrual stigma

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Stakeholders have called for a collaborative approach to address period poverty among girls in the West Nile region, which continues to negatively affect their menstrual hygiene and ability to complete education.

Many girls, particularly in rural areas, struggle to access essential menstrual hygiene products such as sanitary pads. As a result, they miss school and often drop out due to stigma.

Patricia Alobo, Queen of West Nile 2024, who is leading the 'Pad a Girl Campaign', noted that the continued lack of access to sanitary products could cause even more girls to leave school, undermining their future prospects.

Several districts in West Nile report high school dropout and teenage pregnancy rates, much of which stems from inadequate access to pads, a lack of sexuality education, and poor parental guidance.

A parent from Pakwach District acknowledged the challenges, saying that girls who are not provided with sanitary pads tend to remain at home during menstruation and eventually drop out due to the stigma.

In a bid to help address the crisis, Patricia Alobo has organised the ‘Arua City Pad a Girl Run’ on Sunday, May 11 2025, to raise funds for awareness campaigns, provide sanitary pads to schoolgirls, and train them in making reusable pads.

Period poverty is a global issue affecting millions of girls and women who cannot afford or access necessary supplies and face shame and stigma around menstruation.