In a promising development for girls in Kyenjojo district, a new program has emerged spearheaded by the Rotary e-Club of Uganda Global, in collaboration with Eco-Pads Company, aiming to produce reusable sanitary towels locally.
This initiative, part of the “Butiiti Adopt a Community Global Grant Project” valued at 1.2 billion Shillings, was officially launched on Thursday last week at Butiiti Girls Primary School. Alongside the sanitary pad production, the project includes renovations to three classroom blocks and the construction of a modern toilet facility.
Sr. Noelina Banura, Headteacher of Butiiti Girls Primary School, where the majority of students are female, links the dropout rate and absenteeism among adolescent girls to the lack of access to sanitary towels. With the introduction of this project by the Rotary e-Club of Uganda Global, Sr. Banura is optimistic about improving the educational prospects of girls at the school.
” We have continuously registered a decline of the female students at Primary seven level, due to challenges related to lack of privacy during their menstrual cycles.” Noted Sr Banura.
” Some of the girls who persist to continue with their studies are forced to stay home for about four days in a month for their cycles to cease since they lack pads to use, we are grateful to Rotary for their thoughtfulness and inclusion of the girl child in this program ” She further remarked.
President John Ivan Oyuki of the e-Club of Uganda Global, highlights that the Butiiti adopt a community project addresses multiple areas, such as Safe & Clean Water, Renovation of three blocks, Reusable sanitary towels, a Cassava project, Modern Toilets, and tree planting.
“We are not only looking at Butiiti as a school, but the entire community surrounding the Butiiti girls primary. Our project focuses on seven areas to benefit the school but also help the neighbouring residents actively engage in income generating activities like Cassava plantations.” Said Oyuki
According to Oyuki, the decision by Rotary Club to construct the modern toilets at the school, comes as a solution to the continued collapse of the pit latrines built at the school due to the nature of the soil.
Following the launch, Mr. Edward Kakembo Nsubuga, the district governor of Rotary District 9213 and Chief Guest, emphasized Rotary’s commitment to uplifting communities. He underscored the importance of instilling confidence among girls during menstruation and expressed Rotary’s dedication to providing assistance wherever needed.
