GULU MAYOR CALLS FOR FREE SANITARY PADS FOR SCHOOL GIRLS TO BOOST EDUCATION AND GENDER EQUALITY

The Mayor flags off participants at the Gulu Menstrual Hygiene Run during the official start of the event at Kuanda Grounds.

By Proscovia Achomo

Arua City

Gulu City Mayor His Worship Julius Acire Labeja has renewed calls for the government to provide free sanitary pads to school-going girls across Uganda, saying access to menstrual hygiene products should be treated as a basic necessity rather than a privilege.

Speaking during the Fourth Gulu Menstrual Hygiene Run, organized by Her Worth Foundation under the theme “Dignity for All Girls, Dignity for Every Flow,” Labeja said thousands of girls continue to miss school every month because they cannot afford sanitary pads, a situation he described as a barrier to education, dignity, and equal opportunities.

The annual event attracted students, teachers, health workers, civil society organizations, local leaders, and development partners, all united in advocating for improved menstrual health management and the elimination of stigma surrounding menstruation.

Addressing participants, Labeja emphasized that menstruation is a natural biological process that should not prevent girls from accessing education.

 “Pads have to be free because menstruation is not a choice. We have to hit the nail on the head and begin our advocacy. We need to escalate this conversation to Parliament so that policies are made in that direction. I also thank Her Worth Foundation for organizing this important run because it keeps the conversation alive,” he said.

The mayor argued that ensuring every school-going girl has access to sanitary pads would reduce absenteeism, improve academic performance, and contribute to gender equality by giving girls the confidence to remain in school throughout the month.

According to advocates, inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products remains one of the leading causes of school absenteeism among adolescent girls, particularly in rural and low-income communities where many families struggle to meet the cost of sanitary materials.

Beyond the financial burden, many girls also face stigma, discrimination, and inadequate sanitation facilities in schools, making it difficult to manage menstruation safely and with dignity.

For many learners, initiatives such as those implemented by Her Worth Foundation are making a noticeable difference.

Esther Atero, a pupil at Parabongo Primary School in Amuru District, said the foundation’s support has enabled many girls to continue attending classes during their menstrual periods instead of staying at home.

She noted that before receiving support, some girls resorted to unsafe alternatives because they could not afford commercial sanitary pads, affecting both their health and education.

“I thank Her Worth Foundation for supporting girls in Northern Uganda. Most girls were dropping out of school, but right now, the foundation has provided reusable sanitary pads and taught us how to use them. This has helped many girls remain in school and study comfortably during their menstrual periods,” she said.

Atero added that menstrual health education has also helped reduce fear and misinformation among learners, allowing girls to discuss menstruation more openly and confidently.

Her Worth Foundation Executive Director Prudence Monica Apiyo said the organization remains committed to ensuring that no girl misses school because of her menstrual cycle.

She explained that besides distributing sanitary pads, the organization conducts menstrual health education sessions for both girls and boys to break myths, challenge stigma, and encourage supportive school environments.

According to Apiyo, this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Run registered significantly higher participation than previous editions, reflecting growing public awareness and support for menstrual health advocacy.

 “This year, we received overwhelming support and had more participants compared to last year. Because of your support, we managed to reach out to more than 2,500 girls and boys, and among them, over 1,610 girls received reusable and disposable sanitary pads. This year, we hope to reach even more young people through our programs,” she said.

She added that involving boys in menstrual health education is equally important because it helps eliminate teasing, discrimination, and misconceptions that often make girls feel ashamed during menstruation.

Apiyo called upon government agencies, development partners, the private sector, and well-wishers to invest more resources in menstrual hygiene initiatives, arguing that access to sanitary products should be recognized as an essential component of quality education.

Labeja’s appeal adds to growing calls from civil society organizations and education advocates for Uganda to adopt a national policy guaranteeing free or subsidized sanitary pads for school-going girls.

Supporters argue that menstrual hygiene is directly linked to girls’ school attendance, academic performance, self-esteem, and overall health.

They contend that providing free sanitary pads would help reduce inequalities affecting girls from poor households while advancing the country’s commitments to gender equality and universal access to education.

The issue has remained on Uganda’s national agenda for more than a decade.

In 2015, President Yoweri Museveni pledged that government would provide free sanitary pads to schoolgirls in public schools. However, two years later, First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni clarified that the commitment could not be implemented because of budgetary constraints.

Despite that setback, organizations such as Her Worth Foundation have continued filling the gap by distributing reusable and disposable sanitary pads, promoting menstrual health education, and advocating for policies that ensure every girl can manage her menstruation safely and with dignity.

As calls for government intervention grow louder, advocates maintain that ensuring access to menstrual hygiene products is not simply a health issue but an investment in education, gender equality, and the future of Uganda’s girls.