Periods neither stop in pandemics nor disasters

GEDA–Uganda takes Action with internally Displaced women and girls in Kasese- Uganda.

Every year on May 28, Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) is celebrated across the world.  It’s time for Action was the theme for the 2020 MH Day in Uganda. Cognizant of the theme GEDA-Uganda has continued with post MH Day activities amongst the internally displaced persons(IDPs) in Kasese District in   Western Uganda.

GEDA- Uganda has so far trained 65 women and girls of reproductive age in making of reusable pads in Crimson PS camp as a more sustainable approach for menstrual hygiene management for the displaced persons. GEDA will train a total 150 women and girls as TOTs in the camps to train other women and girls in IDPs. The menstrual hygiene day of 2020 was commemorated amidst a double tragedy of Covid-19 pandemic and floods disaster in Kasese District that saw a total of about 500 households displaced and currently living in about 24 IDPs in Kasese District.

There is a huge need for sanitary pads for women and girls of reproductive age in these camps that calls for attention from Government, CSOs, Development partners and well-wishers.

In her remarks Kabugho Alice one of the trainees thanked GEDA Uganda for having trained them to make reusable sanitary pads “I thank GEDA Uganda for having trained us in the use of sanitary pads”

GEDA Staff instructing and helping women to cut the cloth for the exercise

Similarly Kibikwamu Alice appreciated GEDA Uganda “Am grateful to GEDA for the training offered to us that in such a single a day we’re able to learn all this, continue training even in other bigger things, GOD bless you”

The unmet needs for sanitary pads if not given attention may lead to bad coping mechanisms for women and girls like using any available materials as sanitary pads that may pose a health threat.

During the training, GEDA Uganda created awareness on menstrual hygiene management, sexual and reproductive health management.

Trainees posing with their finished products after the training. Extreme right is GEDA’s Margret Kidima

In addition GEDA Uganda is also creating awareness on Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Children (VAC) prevention and response using awareness sessions in camps, radio talk shows, radio drama series on Guide radio-Kasese. GEDA Uganda is using it’s toll free line (0800100029) for response and referral for GBV, VAC and reproductive health.

Voices from trainees.

 

Comments

February 16, 2021
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