Uganda: Stitching Confidence and Dignity - Adolescent Girls Tackle Period Poverty in Uganda

In the rural communities of Omel Sub-County in Gulu District, Uganda, adolescent girls and teenage mothers are breaking free from the chains of period poverty. Limited access to affordable sanitary pads forces many girls to miss school or isolate themselves in shame, while stigma and a lack of knowledge compound the issue. According to the Ministry of Education and Sports, about 30 percent of girls in low-income households miss school during their menstrual cycle due to financial constraints. Furthermore, around 60 percent of girls report feeling embarrassed during menstruation.

Spotlight Initiative, in partnership with UN Population Fund and BRAC Uganda, has taken a unique approach to combat this issue. They integrated menstrual hygiene management into youth clubs for adolescents, training girls and teenage mothers in making reusable sanitary pads. The training started with open conversations about menstrual health, puberty, and adolescence.

The trainers then guided participants through the process of selecting materials, techniques, and quality checks. By the end of the training, every participant had crafted their own reusable sanitary pad.

One teenage mother, visibly proud, shared her newfound confidence, stating, "I never imagined I could make something that helps not only me, but other girls as well. Now I can manage my periods safely and I want to teach other girls in my village." This small skill has the potential to transform lives, creating a ripple effect across communities. Transformation begins with one skill, one girl, and one conversation at a time.