Boys team up to make sanitary pads for their sisters

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH |

Different reports have pointed to the growing number of child marriages and teenage pregnancies more so, during the COVID-19 out of school period.

In other words, even if the government opens all schools, not many girls will resume studies.

For that reason, the Nile Girls' Forum (NGF) conducted community outreach for young women, adolescent girls and boys in Warr Zombo district on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

It was held at Aluka SS in partnership with Grace Freedom Foundation and the Alur kingdom.

NGF is a girl-led organization focusing on elevating resilient girls and young women with emphasis on equitable leadership, age-appropriate SRHR and skills development.

Its founder, Peace Pimer says that community outreach was in continuation of International Day of the Girl Child 2020, under the theme; Your voice our equal future.

The training addressed some of the challenges that girls face while staying in school such as lack of sanitary pads.

"We had over 40 girls and boys. They were taught how to make reusable pads. The boys were excited to make for their sisters," she says.

"Many girls dropout of school due to lack of pads. Learning to make them helps them greatly," she adds.

Sharon Likicho, a peer pal adds that they also discussed issues surrounding teenage pregnancies and early child marriages which contribute to school dropout rates in Zombo.

"Counsellors cautioned the students to stay away from sexually transmitted infections especially HIV/AIDs," she says.

Aside from that, Pimer also discovered that some adolescents and young women were going through a lot to fend for themselves and their families.

"Some have taken to business ventures including value addition on agro-products to increase household incomes," she notes.

The training tackled the challenges women and girls face while running their businesses. They were offered basic business management knowledge, savings, and access to financial services to help them increase their household income and improve their livelihoods in the long run. 

Meanwhile, the International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated every October 11.  It is aimed at recognizing girls' rights and to highlight the challenges that girls face around the world.