The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd, the company leading the development of Uganda’s crude oil export pipeline together with Malaika have partnered to provide dignity hampers to 3,000 schoolgirls in the districts of Hoima, Kikuube, Kakumiro, Mubende, Kyankwanzi, Lwengo, Kyotera, Rakai, Sembabule, Gomba as part of its Social Economic Investment, tackling a critical barrier to education.
The “Keep a Girl in School” initiative aims to promote menstrual health and address the challenges girls face in accessing education due to lack of sanitary materials. Each dignity hamper contains four packets of reusable sanitary pads, three pairs of underwear, detergent and a bucket. These reusable pads are sustainable offering a long-term solution and long-term support to girls who need them the most.
According to statistics by Human Rights Watch, one in ten girls in sub-Saharan Africa are absent from school during their period due to lack of access to sanitary amenities. This not only affects their education but also their confidence. This situation is particularly critical in rural areas and urban poor areas like the Albertine region where poverty limits access to menstrual hygiene amenities. This intervention forms part of EACOP’s sustainability priorities under youth opportunities, where education is a key element. Therefore, it is in our interest to ensure access to quality education in alignment with the Sustainable Development goals, specifically goal number 04; “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”
The hampers were officially handed over by Social and Environmental Investment Manager – Matred Murungi during a ceremony held at St. Apollo Kanoni Primary School, Rakai District. Speaking at the event, Ms. Murungi emphasized the importance of empowering girls through education, stating that the initiative will contribute significantly to the girls’ welfare and high school retention.
“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.” said Ms. Matred Murungi.
“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,” said Mr Kasumba James, the head teacher of at St. Apollo Kanoni Primary School, where the event took place.
The generous donation of reusable sanitary pads is a significant development in addressing the menstrual hygiene challenges faced by girls in Rakai District.
