As part of its continued commitment to community development and sustainable social investment, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd, in partnership with Malaika, has launched a life-changing initiative aimed at promoting menstrual health and supporting school attendance among adolescent girls.
Through the “Keep a Girl in School” campaign, EACOP and Malaika have distributed 3,000 dignity hampers to schoolgirls across 10 districts including Hoima, Kikuube, Kakumiro, Mubende, Kyankwanzi, Lwengo, Kyotera, Rakai, Sembabule, and Gomba. This initiative aims to tackle one of the most persistent yet often overlooked barriers to girls’ education—access to menstrual hygiene products.
Each dignity hamper contains:
- 4 packets of reusable sanitary pads
- 3 pairs of underwear
- Detergent
- A bucket for personal hygiene
These reusable sanitary pads are sustainable and provide a long-term solution, especially for girls in rural and underserved communities such as those in the Albertine region.
According to Human Rights Watch, 1 in 10 girls in sub-Saharan Africa miss school during their periods due to lack of access to sanitary amenities. This negatively impacts their academic progress and confidence, further entrenching gender inequality.
This intervention supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 4—“Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” It also aligns with EACOP’s Social and Environmental Investment priorities under Youth Opportunities, where education and gender equality are key focus areas.
The hampers were officially handed over at a ceremony held at St. Apollo Kanoni Primary School in Rakai District, officiated by EACOP’s Social and Environmental Investment Manager, Ms. Matred Murungi.
“Menstrual health is a fundamental part of ensuring that girls can thrive in school. By ensuring access to sanitary products, we are removing a major barrier to education and giving girls the opportunity to succeed and break the cycle of inequality,”
— Ms. Matred Murungi
Head teacher Mr. Kasumba James welcomed the support, noting its significant impact: “We have many challenges as a rural school, and lack of proper sanitary towels is a dominant one. This donation will enable the girls concentrate in class rather than be on tension or not come to school because they fear to be embarrassed.”
This partnership represents another step forward in EACOP’s mission to make a positive and lasting impact on communities along its pipeline route—because every girl deserves the opportunity to learn with dignity.
