MUGABE R
Ms. Ingrid Turinawe Kamateneki, Founder of TIK Foundation, a charity organization operating in the Kigezi, Bukedi, Buganda, and Bunyoro regions, has called on the Ministry of Education and Sports to prioritize the hygiene and sanitation needs of adolescent girls in primary schools.
She made this appeal on Wednesday, 16th October 2024, while distributing sanitary pads, provided by her foundation, to adolescent girls from Katwekamwe, Nyabihinga, and Kashozi Primary Schools in Eastern Division and Kitazigurukwa Primary School in Southern Division, Rukungiri Municipality.
During the visit, Ms. Kamateneki and her team offered guidance and counseling sessions aimed at breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation and boosting the self-esteem of disadvantaged adolescent girls. She emphasized that many parents and guardians are unable to afford proper hygiene products, leaving adolescent girls to rely on unsanitary alternatives such as sliced cloth. These unhygienic practices lead to infections, cause school dropouts, and negatively affect the girls’ self-esteem. Ms. Kamateneki urged the Ministry of Education and Sports to allocate funding for equipping schools with proper changing rooms to support the stability of menstruating girls.
Peace Nimusiima, headmistress of Kitazigurukwa Primary School, welcomed the donation, highlighting the lack of sanitary equipment in the school’s changing rooms. She pointed out that the limited capitation grant cannot cover such essential needs, calling on more charitable organizations and well-wishers to step in.
Gorreti Nampamya, Senior Woman Teacher at Kashozi Primary School, praised the donation, confirming that many girls rely on leaking, inadequate cloth alternatives during their periods, which often forces them to skip school, missing lessons.
Samson Tindiwegi Brown, head teacher of Katwekamwe Primary School, appreciated the sanitary pad supply and the sensitization sessions, noting that a lack of knowledge and menstrual care has fueled absenteeism, stigma, and poor academic performance.
Lucky Ainebyoona, a student at Nyabihinga Primary School, expressed her gratitude for the donation, saying that receiving the sanitary pads, along with the guidance and counseling, empowered her by breaking the stigma and ignorance surrounding menstruation and safe days.
TIK Foundation offers a variety of voluntary services, including human rights promotion, road safety advisory and equipment provision, mentorship, skills training, safe motherhood programs, education support, and organizing sports activities.
