Girl Child
The Girl Child Programme (GCP) is dedicated to providing access to safe sanitary items and practices, as well as empowering girls and women to go to school and undertake training in entrepreneurship and technical skills.
Adolescent girls in rural areas of Masaka, Uganda, often face significant challenges in accessing safe sanitary pads and proper menstrual hygiene knowledge. Many girls, especially those aged 12 to 17, lack awareness of menstrual health.
Due to the scarcity of sanitary pads, these girls resort to using unsafe alternatives like unsuitable cloths and banana fibres during their periods. This not only leads to health risks but also subjects them to stigma from their peers. Additionally, the prevalence of female-headed households in both rural areas and urban slums of Masaka, coupled with financial challenges, makes it hard for families to afford even basic necessities, let alone sanitary pads that cost 3000+ Shillings per month.
The consequences of limited sanitary pad access are numerous. Girls' self-esteem and creativity suffer, leading to potentially leaving school and an increase in early teenage pregnancies. To combat these issues, DHEF-UGANDA has stepped in to empower girls with the skills to create reusable pads and to guide them to achieve their full potential.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated the situation, particularly in villages where financial constraints are more pronounced, limiting access to sanitary items. Incidents of domestic violence, early pregnancies, and child marriages have risen. Moreover, more girls have been forced to leave school due to the pandemic's impact on resources and livelihoods.
Reproductive and Sexual Health
In collaboration with partner AFRIpads, we're empowering girls and young women in Kigamba by providing essential sanitary items while offering sessions on sexual and reproductive health. Our initiative aims to break down stigma around menstruation, encouraging open dialogue and instilling good hygiene practices. By promoting education, confidence, and well-being, we're fostering a supportive community where girls can thrive without barriers.
Guidance and counselling
Our inclusive guidance and counselling sessions are available to all women within the community, facilitated by skilled social workers and healthcare professionals. Covering a wide range of subjects concerning female health and well-being, these sessions create a platform for women to seek information and knowledge openly. Through personalised attention, we aim to address individual concerns, tailored to the unique circumstances of each woman, fostering empowerment and support. Our work in Bwala and Kimaanya have proven effective to give women the assistance they need.
Challenges and Solutions
The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated poverty, making access to sanitary items a challenge for many households. To address this, we are actively collaborating with partners to improve the availability and distribution of essential sanitary products. Expanding our guidance and counseling sessions necessitates a greater presence of volunteers, health experts, and social workers, ensuring comprehensive care for women. By securing more donations, we aim to augment the supply of hygiene essentials and educational materials, fostering a stronger support system for women in need.
Supporting Global Goals
Contribution to sustainable development
No Poverty
By providing girls with essential sanitary items and comprehensive sexual health education, we are combatting poverty at its roots. Enhanced access to education, facilitated through proper menstrual hygiene management, bolsters academic performance and widens avenues for future prospects. The empowerment resulting from knowledge equips girls to navigate life's choices, mitigating early pregnancies and paving the way for economic autonomy.
Clean water and Sanitation
By promoting hygienic practices through proper menstrual hygiene management, through providing girls with essential sanitary items and education, we contribute to better sanitation practices. Our activities not only support individual health but also advances the larger goal of clean water and sanitation for communities, fostering a healthier and more sustainable environment.
Gender Equality
We are directly confronting the disparities that women and girls encounter, fostering their empowerment and autonomy. Our holistic approach not only enhances their health and education but also plays a pivotal role in breaking down gender-based inequalities, creating an environment where girls can flourish, make informed decisions, and participate meaningfully across all spheres of society.
Good Health and
Well-being
We are dedicated to distribute essential items and organise activities that deepen understandings of sexual and reproductive health, whilst improving access to healthcare. Our efforts enhance health outcomes and informed decision-making among girls but also profoundly adds to their overall sense of contentment. By empowering girls with these tools we amplify their confidence and prosperity.
Quality Education
We support girls' unobstructed access to schooling. We equip girls to excel academically and confidently pursue their desired careers. Empowering them with knowledge and resources not only enhances their educational achievements but also facilitates diverse career options, enabling them to make valuable contributions to society.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Through enhancing feminine health awareness, healthcare access and economic opportunities for women and girls, we are fostering the growth of healthier and more informed communities. The impact of our activities transcends the present, as the knowledge, empowerment, and improved well-being of girls today pave the way for a brighter future with generational benefits. Creating a positive ripple effect that influences the broader community.