Train 100 men & 40 boys in Uganda on menstruation

Summary:

The project aims at empowering Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), boys and young men through provision of essential educational and clothing materials to the underprivileged, and training 100 men & 40 boys in Buvuma islands and Mukono Kigombya North Cell on menstruation management and works in Partnership with a private sectors and civil society organisation in the region to improve access of hygienically affordable pads for the women and adolescent girls (AGYW). This project was implemented to educate men and boys to support AGYW in managing menstruation hygienically and breaking stigmas.

Achievements/Actions taken:

• Distributed free scholastic materials (pens, books, backpacks, calculators, Mathematical sets etc) to disadvantaged pupils and low-income families in Mukono.
• Donated gently used clothing (shirts, dresses, trousers, pants etc)
• Donated gently used shoes and bags
• Increased access to educational essential materials to help pupils attend school regularly.
• Increased the academic performance due to provision of educational tools to enhance learning.
• Enhanced literacy skills due to provision of free books and reading materials enhance love for reading.
• Hygiene Facilities have been improved and renovated through private bathrooms and ensuring that there is safe, and clean with locking doors where AGYW can change sanitary products.
• ACYDI has provided TOT training to over 20 men, 20 boys and 30 AGYW the relevance of using water and soap for washing hands and usage of menstrual hygiene products.
• The organisation has provided disposal Bins in bathrooms for sanitary products and ensured that they are emptied regularly.
• Over 300 people in the community attended and received donated clothing materials from ACYDI.
• Storybooks have been donated to boost cognitive development and critical thinking which often present problems and scenarios that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• The donated storybooks have enhanced knowledge and introduced learners to new topics, cultures, and historical events, broadening their knowledge base and motivation to Learn through engaging enjoyable stories that spark a lifelong love of reading and learning.
• Strengthened partnerships and collaborations with other CSOs and organisations where 3 trainings have been conducted in Managing Menstrual Hygiene (MHM), education and awareness trainings through menstrual education, preferably before the onset of puberty, to prepare girls for what to expect; provided comprehensive and accurate information about menstruation, including the biological process, duration, symptoms, and hygiene practices, and these trainings have Involved Boys and educated them to foster understanding and reduce stigma associated with menstruation.

Challenges and suggested solutions:

• Securing sufficient funds to sustain the donated resources.
• More support is needed to provide storybooks to the AGYW.
• Operational costs that are involved such as covering costs of transport, storage and transportation of donated materials.
• Collaborations with other CSOs and partners.
• Securing diverse funding sources
• Fostering community engagement programs
• Need for cultural sensitivity in a way that materials distributed aligns with the recipients’ cultural needs.
• Frequent verification of vulnerable populations during the identification process.
• More trainings to be conducted in education on menstrual health and hygiene.
• Support is needed for Boys/men in encouraging empathy and support for menstruating peers
• Provision of access to resources and information on menstrual health.