In 2009, I shed my first drop of menstrual blood and I didn’t know what it was. I was rushed to infirmary and it was then that we were told I’d started my periods. I’ve grown up with my father, two brothers and a male help, being driven to school in my earlier years by a male driver. My mother has always lived away from us. It was such a painful experience and I had no one to talk to. It wasn’t until I joined boarding school that the teachers started giving us these talks and sensitizing us on how to stay clean, even while ‘rolling’.
Menstruation refers to the natural bodily process of releasing blood and associated matter from the uterus through the vagina as part of the menstrual cycle. Menstrual hygiene Management, is the management of hygiene related to the menstrual process. This includes having access to soap and water for bathing, access to safe and convenient facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials. (UNICEF; Guide to Menstrual Hygiene Materials, May 2019 at page 7)
In 2017 and 2018 respectively, I went for mission to the villages of Kacerere in Kabale and Bulucheke in Bududda in Uganda, and the girls I interacted with asked me whether in Kampala, the boys make fun of girls experiencing their periods; because their classmates always made them feel uncomfortable and ‘unclean’.
The norm of secrecy around Menstrual related issues in society continues to suppress all efforts to ensure that girls and women acquire proper menstrual care and hygiene. I was ashamed to own pads because I would be ridiculed and considered too mature even though I was just 12, so I resorted to using a huge amount of toilet paper until I got courage to approach the matron. I didn’t not know that using tissue was and remains unhygienic.
However, keeping it a undisclosed means: we do not recognise it as a problem that needs to be dealt with, the norm cripples our education system and many young women upon menarche go through the same cycle and ordeal with minimum access to resources like pads, tampons, or access toilets and resort to unhygienic measures like using toilet paper, leaves and pieces of cloth, all of which keep them out of school. This can be changed.
Reduction on Tax levied on Menstrual Hygiene materials. This will need support from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development through the Uganda Revenue Authority. The menstrual hygiene materials’ pricing ranges between 3000/5000 Uganda shillings. This is too much for a process that is as natural as breathing, yet some countries such as Scotland are moving toward a system of giving away free pads to their citizens.
Sensitizing the community to prevent discrimination and stigma towards young women who are menstruating. This can be done through collective effort of various organizations such as Reach a Hand Uganda, UNICEF, Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum (UYAHF) and Days for Girls Uganda, to mention but a few, through community outreaches.
Encouraging supportive systems in schools through the Ministry of Education and Sports. Most young women reach menarche while in school in Uganda and 54% miss classes during the same. There is need to set up engaging and informative social support systems in schools, not only for the girls, but also boys to show them that it is normal to menstruate.
Putting in Place Hygienic Facilities for Girls and Young Women including latrines, clean water and a proper disposal system. This can be through support from Non for-profit organizations like Girl Up Initiative Uganda, United Nations Girls Education Initiative and Women String International. Many young women I have interacted with sometimes keep a pad on for longer hours than necessary because they cannot find a proper disposal place.
Therefore, as we head on to celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28th May 2020, I hope we remember that breaking the norm of secrecy around Menstruation starts individually. We don’t need to be ashamed of the gift of bringing life because Menstruation is a aide-mémoire of the continuance of humanity.
Dee Gash
Very necessary conversation/ sensitization and very insightful. Thanks for sharing and I’m glad we are normalizing such conversations…the girls after us will have better experiences as we speak up more.
Khanani Daniella
Yes yes. Indeed. Very necessary but yet most unheard of conversations.
Thank you for your feedback. They definately will.
Can’t wait to listen to the inspiration talks you’ll be having one day. You should incorporate something like this.
Dee Gash
I definitely will, no doubt. We might even co-teach or share on this one [hi-5] even. You’re welcome
Khanani Daniella
Dee Gash
Yaayyy
Joy Martha
This is very good analysis and observation. One of the most relevant topics that needs attention especially the area of taxation, unfortunately one that is not ready to be catered for as expected. We need to normalise such discussions especially to the rural masses. Thank you Daniella for this piece.
Khanani Daniella
Thank you Martha. Yes, the taxes on the pads and tampons make it difficult for an ordinary rural girl to afford if they are living below a dollar a day.
Thank you for the feedback.
Dee Gash
Very necessary conversation/ sensitization and very insightful. Thanks for sharing and I’m glad we are normalizing such conversations…the girls after us will have better experiences as we speak up more.
Khanani Daniella
Yes yes. Indeed. Very necessary but yet most unheard of conversations.
Thank you for your feedback. They definately will.
Can’t wait to listen to the inspiration talks you’ll be having one day. You should incorporate something like this.
Dee Gash
I definitely will, no doubt. We might even co-teach or share on this one [hi-5] even. You’re welcome
Khanani Daniella
Dee Gash
Yaayyy
Joy Martha
This is very good analysis and observation. One of the most relevant topics that needs attention especially the area of taxation, unfortunately one that is not ready to be catered for as expected. We need to normalise such discussions especially to the rural masses. Thank you Daniella for this piece.
Khanani Daniella
Thank you Martha. Yes, the taxes on the pads and tampons make it difficult for an ordinary rural girl to afford if they are living below a dollar a day.
Thank you for the feedback.
clinton tumanye
This is an interesting read, Daniella. Good luck with the contest. https://www.facebook.com/1762165257447661/posts/2471209943209852/?d=n
Khanani Daniella
Thank you Clinton. It’s such a good inventory by Reach a Hand to normalise conversations on these things.
I look forward to more writing opportunities.
clinton tumanye
This is an interesting read, Daniella. Good luck with the contest. https://www.facebook.com/1762165257447661/posts/2471209943209852/?d=n
Khanani Daniella
Thank you Clinton. It’s such a good inventory by Reach a Hand to normalise conversations on these things.
I look forward to more writing opportunities.
C. Joshua Opel-Otim
I’m glad that such information is out there for all to read, especially the male sex with particular interest in school-going boys. Such conversations need to be normalized so that the girl child is no longer left out during menstruation as if it’s their fault.
I’ve learnt a lot, thanks.
Cheers.
Khanani Daniella
Yes most definately. Thank you for sharing your two cents Josh.
It’s very important for girls not to be stigmatized during such periods. And it can only be so if there’s sufficient information being circulated.
Thank you for passing by.
C. Joshua Opel-Otim
I’m glad that such information is out there for all to read, especially the male sex with particular interest in school-going boys. Such conversations need to be normalized so that the girl child is no longer left out during menstruation as if it’s their fault.
I’ve learnt a lot, thanks.
Cheers.
Khanani Daniella
Yes most definately. Thank you for sharing your two cents Josh.
It’s very important for girls not to be stigmatized during such periods. And it can only be so if there’s sufficient information being circulated.
Thank you for passing by.
Prisca Pearly.
Wow my Danielle this is amazing. Actually this reminds alot of a village in moroto it’s called luputoku i literally felt bad how girls don’t have any knowledge on how to manage there menstrual hygiene i got to witness how they use the sand they sit on the sand so that it’s flows in there………
Khanani Daniella
Oh no.
This is very sad.
We have to campaign for either the compete removal of taxes on pads or reduction of the same.
If oxygen in the hospital is given for free then these sanitary facilities that go to the core of womanhood need to be free and accessible as well.
Prisca Pearly.
If condoms are free why not sanitary pads because menstruation is not mandatory it’s by default.
I cry deep inside of me that this world shall never get accept us fully unless we still stand strong as United women
Khanani Daniella
I know. It’s very absurd.
And I agree with you. We need to stand together.
Khanani Daniella
Thank you for your feedback Prisca.
Prisca Pearly.
It’s my pleasure dear.
Prisca Pearly.
Wow my Danielle this is amazing. Actually this reminds alot of a village in moroto it’s called luputoku i literally felt bad how girls don’t have any knowledge on how to manage there menstrual hygiene i got to witness how they use the sand they sit on the sand so that it’s flows in there………
Khanani Daniella
Oh no.
This is very sad.
We have to campaign for either the compete removal of taxes on pads or reduction of the same.
If oxygen in the hospital is given for free then these sanitary facilities that go to the core of womanhood need to be free and accessible as well.
Prisca Pearly.
If condoms are free why not sanitary pads because menstruation is not mandatory it’s by default.
I cry deep inside of me that this world shall never get accept us fully unless we still stand strong as United women
Khanani Daniella
I know. It’s very absurd.
And I agree with you. We need to stand together.
Khanani Daniella
Thank you for your feedback Prisca.
Prisca Pearly.
It’s my pleasure dear.
Juan Racheal
Great read Daniella. It’s more absurd in South Sudan because it’s a prerequisite to marry girls off, putting their education on stall. Yes the awareness must not stop.
Khanani Daniella
Oh no.
That’s is very sad.
Yes we need to create this awareness. You can gather up young girls in South Sudan and partner with an organisation there to create this awareness, especially amongst communities and parents.
I’m sure it will go a long way in reducing the rate of early marriages.
Thank you for sharing and reading Juan.
Juan Racheal
Great read Daniella. It’s more absurd in South Sudan because it’s a prerequisite to marry girls off, putting their education on stall. Yes the awareness must not stop.
Khanani Daniella
Oh no.
That’s is very sad.
Yes we need to create this awareness. You can gather up young girls in South Sudan and partner with an organisation there to create this awareness, especially amongst communities and parents.
I’m sure it will go a long way in reducing the rate of early marriages.
Thank you for sharing and reading Juan.
Irene Amongin
Daniella, thank you for sharing this. So insightful.
Khanani Daniella
Thank you for reading Irene.
Irene Amongin
Daniella, thank you for sharing this. So insightful.
Khanani Daniella
Thank you for reading Irene.
Nabbale Vicky
I only know pads, what are those other things in the picture?
Khanani Daniella
Well, there’s cotton, sanitizer and wet wipes, sponge and shower gel, a little toilet bag for carrying your pads during your period, a trash can for disposing the sanitary towels, lotion for smearing on yourself after taking a bath and yes pads.
Khanani Daniella
There’s also a hot water bottle that usually helps with the painful cramps, shaving creme to keep yourself hygienic during the period and also hand wash, for sanitary purposes.
Nabbale Vicky
I only know pads, what are those other things in the picture?
Khanani Daniella
Well, there’s cotton, sanitizer and wet wipes, sponge and shower gel, a little toilet bag for carrying your pads during your period, a trash can for disposing the sanitary towels, lotion for smearing on yourself after taking a bath and yes pads.
Khanani Daniella
There’s also a hot water bottle that usually helps with the painful cramps, shaving creme to keep yourself hygienic during the period and also hand wash, for sanitary purposes.
sheilacaryn
Thanks for sharing this Daniela,it’s really helpful
Khanani Daniella
Thank you for reading Sheilla.
sheilacaryn
Thanks for sharing this Daniela,it’s really helpful
Khanani Daniella
Thank you for reading Sheilla.
Kudzanai
Thank you. Keep on doing the good work
Khanani Daniella
Thank you Kudzanai.
Kudzanai
Thank you. Keep on doing the good work
Khanani Daniella
Thank you Kudzanai.