World Vision, Absa Bank tip the scale on menstrual hygiene in Karamoja

World Vision Uganda, in partnership with ABSA Bank, has commissioned facilities to improve water and sanitation for the girl-child in Abim District, Karamoja.

Officials said the intervention will promote the continued inclusion of girls in education across Karamoja sub-region.

The handover of a fully functional borehole and changing room facility will positively impact 900 girls enrolled at Awach Primary School and address existing menstrual hygiene challenges.

The joint effort reflects the commitment by both partners to support transformational and sustainable development for different communities in Uganda.

The overarching goal of this initiative is to contribute to girls’ empowerment in the region and consequently reduce hindrances to their education due to menstrual health issues.

“Addressing menstrual hygiene management is a subject that aligns with broader national and global development goals alluding to sustainable and quality education," said Jeremiah Nyagah, the national director of World Vision.

Nyagah said the quest to achieve inclusive and equitable education for all necessitates concerted efforts through sustainable collaboration and partnerships like what was exhibited in Abim.

"On that note, allow me to appreciate our partners, Absa Bank for taking heed to this cause and supporting the commitment to see this initiative yield to fruition," he said.

"As of today, we can proudly say that the girls’ changing room and a fully functioning borehole at Awach Primary School in Abim have been completed. This is a manifestation that when we all come together and join hands in driving transformation, great things happen.”

Mr Kenneth Mumba Kalifungwa, the managing director of Absa Bank Uganda, echoed the importance of strategic partnerships to drive community development.

“At Absa, we believe that education is a right that every child should have access to, regardless of gender," he said.

 

Mr Kalifungwa said with proceeds from the inaugural Absa KH3 7 Hills, funding was channelled through World Vision to construct these facilities to improve menstrual hygiene management in underserved communities.

"We are proud to witness what they have done that we believe will make a difference in the lives of girls in this community. By improving menstrual hygiene management, we can keep the girl child in school by reducing school absenteeism and dropout rates among menstruating age girls,” he added.

It is imperative to recognize the profound impact that menstrual hygiene management has on girls' participation in various activities, particularly their education.

A study by the International Water and Sanitation Council (2012) indicates that a significant number of girls in Uganda experience disruptions to their schooling due to inadequate menstrual hygiene practices, with absenteeism having detrimental effects on academic performance.

Studies by the World Bank (2005), UNICEF (2012), and SNV (2012) estimate that one in every ten menstruating girls skip school 4-5 days per month or completely drop out.

A girl who misses school for four days of every 28-day menstrual cycle loses an equivalent of two weeks of learning, and 104 hours of school every school term. Together we can collaboratively end menstrual hygiene challenges across our communities.

As a result of menstrual hygiene challenges girls may miss up to 8 days of study per term. On average, there are 3 school terms in a year with approximately 220 learning days.

Therefore, a girl who misses 8 days a term may miss 24 days a year which translates into 11% of the time a girl pupil will miss learning due to menstrual periods. The responsibility therefore lies in our hands to stand together and address menstrual hygiene challenges within our communities.

Today’s commissioning has been preceded by special training of girls, teachers, and parents in the production of reusable sanitary pads as well as the provision of inclusive changing rooms and a borehole to deliver a sustainable and empowering experience for the girls, teachers, and parents.

Furthermore, this project has been integrated into ongoing area programs to improve access to clean and safe water, thereby addressing broader health and hygiene concerns.

The highly attended community event featured a delegation from both World Vision Uganda and ABSA Bank Uganda Limited that included the National Director- World Vision Uganda- Jeremiah Nyagah, Managing Director ABSA Bank Uganda- Mr Kenneth Mumba Kalifungwa, Director Marketing and Communications- World Vision Uganda-Connie Nankya and the Director Marketing and Customer Experience- ABSA Bank Uganda- Hellen Nangonzi Basuuta.

Also in attendance were the district’s local leaders and government officials who applauded the tremendous work done by the two organisations in championing sustainable community transformation across the Abim region in Karamoja.