Menstruation Preparedness and Education

TURGET Uganda commits to conduct menstrual health, education, and preparedness trainings at primary and secondary schools in Kampala suburbs to a minimum of 250 underprivileged girls (ages 10-16). The trainings provide a general overview of menstruation and basic sexual and reproductive health information in an age-appropriate manner. Although pregnancy prevention is not a focus, girls are able to ask questions about any aspect of their sexual and reproductive health rights. At completion of the training, girls are given menstrual preparedness kits that include sanitary towels and new knickers.
The primary goal of this training is to reduce stigma that may be associated with menstruation, particularly among young girls that have not yet experienced or been educated about their bodies. Further, to reduce stigma, TURGET Uganda includes young boys in the trainings, teachers, school administrators, and other stakeholders in the trainings. Stigma reduction emphasizes that menstruation is a normal and healthy part of the female experience; and empowers the youth to self-express any questions without fear or shame.
A secondary goal of the trainings are to properly educate young women on sanitation practices such as proper hand washing, instructions how and when to wash or change sanitary materials, and other related topics. This is critical as we know many young girls are ignorant about these practices; and use dirty cloth pieces instead or even banana leaves during menstruation when they cannot access clean and safe materials. We work closely with educators and school administrators to advocate for safe places where young women can change sanitary materials, including that these spaces have clean water and privacy.

Mode of engagement:

• Programmatic action
  We will provide sexual & reproductive health education training & menstrual kits (sanitary materials, knickers.) to a minimum of 250 girls (ages 10-16) in Kampala suburbs. Trainings emphasize menstrual health stigma reduction & sanitation practices.