Category: Women’s rights

Today, millions of women and girls around the world are stigmatised, excluded and discriminated against simply because they menstruate.

It’s not acceptable that because of a natural bodily function women and girls continue to be prevented from getting an education, earning an income and fully and equally participating in everyday life.

Poor menstrual hygiene caused by a lack of education, persisting taboos and stigma, limited access to hygienic menstrual products and poor sanitation infrastructure undermines the educational opportunities, health and overall social status of women and girls around the world. As a result, millions of women and girls are prevented from reaching their full potential.

Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) is a global advocacy platform that brings together non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene (MHH). More specifically, MH Day:

• Breaks the silence, raises awareness and changes negative social norms around MHH, and
• engages decision-makers to increase the political priority and catalyse action for MHH, at global, national and local levels.

Like other partners, Gender-Environment and Development Action would like to wish everyone a happy #MHDay. We are committed to ending the stigma around this by;

• Breaking the taboos and end the stigma surrounding menstruation.
• Raising awareness about the challenges regarding access to menstrual products, education about menstruation and period-friendly sanitation facilities.

Through our continued commitment to supporting the teenage mothers and other vulnerable youth in Kasese District, GEDA Uganda has partnered with Children Conservationists program –CCP an organization aimed at facilitating sustainable conservation through empowerment, leadership development and educational support for the children and Youth to continue reaching out to the vulnerable Youth within the region.

This comes shortly after GEDA Uganda had trained these teenage mothers in different life skills of craft shoe making, tailoring and knitting to give them a second chance of life. GEDA Uganda had earlier on given these teenage mothers start up kits for them to kick start small businesses in the different fields in which they had gained skills. This however wasn’t enough and it was the reason GEDA continued searching for more opportunities to support the teenage mothers.

After an MOU with CCP, buffalo teenage mothers group will be receiving USD 556 from CCP through GEDA Uganda to buy start up materials for their business in tailoring and craft shoe making. This will be a big boost to the earlier on given start up kits and tailoring machines donated to them by GEDA Uganda.

GEDA Uganda is also supporting other teenage mothers groups in Kasese Municipality to realize their potential amidst having given birth at a tender age. These groups will be trained in Youth savings and loan schemes –YSLAs for them to start small savings from the proceeds of their business for sustainable livelihoods.

By Bonita Masika-GEDA Uganda.

Mitse Night is among the teenage mothers that underwent the crotchet shoe making training exercise that was implemented by GEDA Uganda under its skilling project. Before she underwent this training, she had neither acquired any skill nor had any job or source of income. When GEDA Uganda intervened by extending the Crochet shoe making training to the teenage mothers under the MSF program, Mitse Night had the opportunity to take up this training. When she was still a trainee, she showed a lot of interest and took her training seriously.

After the training was completed and even before being given the startup kit package, Night took the initiative of utilizing the skill and the small resources she had acquired during the training to make close to two pairs of shoes which she was able to sell at 10,000 Uganda shillings (About $3) each thus being able to make a profit of 20,000 since the training materials had been offered by GEDA Uganda at no cost. “I was lucky for having been part of this training and am grateful that i already made some money however little it is. Am very hopeful that this is going to change my life, thanks very much to GEDA Uganda” With these humble savings and the additional startup kit that was provided to her, Mitse believes that she will be able to meet the basic needs for herself and her family and also boost her small shoe making start up business.

Night has a number of challenges but they don’t keep her from moving forward. Her main challenge is lack of enough capital to rent a room and also buy more materials, she has also faced a challenge of low customer turn up and low unfavorable prices from the customers. But all the same she still believes there is light at the end of the tunnel.

After their skilling program, teenage mothers have finally received their start up kits to start on a new life with the skills attained. Gender-Environment and Development Action has been equipping these teenage mothers with different skills.

The first batch of teenage mothers that were trained in crotchet shoe making received their kits at their different training stations. The MSF group received their kits at the MSF training center while Nyamwamba Division teenage mothers received their kits at the Division Headquarters.

Speaking at the function the Division Community Development Officer appreciated the efforts of Gender-Environment and Development Action in equipping the teenage mothers and giving them hope. He promised maximum support to the teenage mothers and GEDA Uganda for the services they are rendering. The MSF representative encouraged the teenage mothers to use the start up kits well and continue behaving well not to have a repeat of what has already happened to them but think of their future to be a bright one. He thanked GEDA Uganda for the partnership in skilling this team they have been offering reproductive health services. He said this was good combination of services to the teenage mothers.

Speaking at the same function the GEDA Uganda representative Baluku Omar also advised the teenage mothers to use the start up kits to enrich the standard of living and promised continued follow ups and mentorships. He said the start up kits may not be enough but worth starting a new life.

Meanwhile the tailoring group of teenage mothers is still going on with their training that lasts utmost 3 months, they will also be awarded start up kits as and when they complete their training and so it is to the knitting group.

Earlier this year, we embarked on bringing hope to the teenage mothers in the region. The covid-19 pandemic did not only leave school going girls idle at home but also created more harm and some of these were impregnanted. The would be fathers of the children have since left the teenage mothers struggling to fend for their children and themselves.

At Gender-Environment and Development Action, we started on sessions to bring hope to these young girls, inspirational talks but also skilling for for self-reliance and improved livelihood.

Earlier this month our skilling program started with tailoring skills that are currently on-going with the Kidodo young mothers group.

This week shoe making and Knitting has kick started with another beneficiary group in Nyamwamba Division -Kasese District.

Out trainers are on ground and the training is steadily progressing well…

Details to come…

REFLECTION ON BREASTFEEDING AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

Every year, the globe commemorates the World breastfeeding week in the first week of the month of August.

This week, Uganda Joins other parts of the world in commemoration of the world breast feeding week that starts today the 1^st August through 7^th of August 2020 reflecting on a national theme “Safe breastfeeding for a healthier nation”.

This year’s theme focuses on the impact of Breastfeeding on the environment and the obligation to protect, promote and Support safe breastfeeding for a healthier nation.

World breastfeeding week has the dual goal of improving the health of babies and promoting, protecting, and supporting the rights of women to breastfeed anywhere and at any time.

One could imagine why WBW commemoration?

The WBW commemoration provides governments, international, national, community based and civil society organizations as well as all other stakeholders an opportunity to conduct massive advocacy and campaigns aimed at promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding.

This comes along with activities that create awareness to communities on optimal breastfeeding practices, training of health care practitioners to provide support to mothers/parents in regard to appropriate breastfeeding, formulation and implementation of the legislations and policies concerning breastfeeding and   breastmilk substitutes as well as reflecting on commitments towards achieving optimal breastfeeding practices and the SDGs.

This year’s World Breastfeeding Week also highlights the huge benefits that breastfeeding can bring to the health and welfare of babies and to maternal health, focusing on good nutrition, poverty reduction, food security and protection of environment.

From the reflection on the WBW theme, we recognize that breastmilk is a natural, renewable nutritious food that is produced and delivered to the consumer without pollution, packaging or waste as compared to breastmilk substitutes.

One could also wonder why breastfeeding?

Studies have revealed that breastfeeding is a universal solution that gives everyone a fair start in life and lays a foundation for good health and survival of children and women.

The following reasons make breastfeeding very important;

• Breast milk contains all the essential nutrients and water that the baby needs for growth and development, rich in antibodies that support the child’s body to fight against infections.
• Breastmilk is easy to digest, safe and clean and so lowers chances of infections that could result from contamination.
• Breastfeeding is the cheapest, readily available and most effective way to increase survival and health of children which ultimately results into a healthier planet. “healthy eating for a healthier planet”.
• Breast feeding creates a bond between the mother and the child.
• Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of mothers developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart diseases.
• Prevents mothers from getting pregnant so early when the baby is still very young (can be used as a family planning).
• In regards to the environment, breastfeeding is an option that can reduce waste, pressure on available food systems and natural resources invested in the production of Breast Milk Substitute

The other person could ask what are the recommended and optimal breastfeeding practices:

• Breastfeed your baby within the first 1 hour after birth. As the very first yellow breast milk(colostrum) is very good and safe for the baby; It has vast antibodies that protects the baby against diseases.
• Give the baby breast milk ONLY from birth to 6 completed months. Do not give other foods and drinks like water or juice to the baby. Your breastmilk provides all the food and water that your child needs during this time. Only medicines/syrups prescribed by a qualified health worker should be given.
• At 6 completed months, breast milk alone no longer provides the baby with adequate nutrients needed for proper growth & development. Breast milk should be complemented with a variety of

adequate, safe and nutrient-dense foods from the 3 main food groups. Once you introduce other foods at 6 completed months, continue to breastfeed the baby up to 2 years and beyond.

What are the barriers to breastfeeding?

Although the value of breastfeeding is well understood, there are many barriers that can make it difficult for women to start and continue breastfeeding. Some of the barriers include;

• Limited knowledge of the mothers and family members about breastfeeding.
• Many women do not know about the risks associated with formula feeding and the hazards of improper use.
• Social cultural norms and myths on breastfeeding. (presenter could mention some myths in our context)
• Gender roles that limit male involvement and support in breastfeeding.
• Promotion and marketing of infant formula as a suitable alternative undermines breastfeeding.
• Many women give birth without access to the quality care, counselling and support from Health workers to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth.
• Heavy work-load on the mothers which interferes with exclusive breastfeeding as fail to cope with the breastfeeding role.
• Working environment for breastfeeding mothers is not conducive for breastfeeding e.g. no space available for keeping the baby at the workplace.
• Policies supporting and promoting breastfeeding have not been enforced e.g. noncompliance of health facilities in supporting breastfeeding particularly in the private health facilities.
• Limited advocacy for protection, promotion and support for breastfeeding.
• Lack of adequate infrastructure to supporting breastfeeding e.g. human milk banks to support children who are unable to breastfeed.

Is breastfeeding of help in protecting and safeguarding our environment?

Over the years, the scale of human activities has impacted on the natural resources massively leading to their depletion and destruction as well as increase in the emission of major Greenhouse gases (GHG) that have tremendously led to catastrophic climatic changes.

Due to the continuous climate changes, there is great need to protect our planet and our own health by using resources such as land, water and energy sources responsibly; conserving biodiversity and consuming with care.

Breastmilk is the first food that we consume and is a critical part of a sustainable food system. On the other hand, feeding with breastmilk substitutes (BMS) is a growing phenomenon that is contributing to the problem of environmental crisis which needs to be addressed. We need to better understand the impact of different feeding methods on planetary health in both normal and emergency situations.

When it comes to protecting the environment, every solution count; Breastfeeding too can help in altering the scorecard.

Breastfeeding is clean and environmentally friendly as it needs no water, preparation in terms of cooking/heating, transport and packaging and so produces no waste and pollution.

Therefore, adopting breastfeeding as a climate smart decision means that;

• We are cutting down on carbon emissions from the dairy farming, production, processing and transport industries.
• Reducing pressure on natural resources that could be invested in production, packaging, distribution and preparation of breastmilk substitutes (water, forests, land, minerals, energy etc.).
• We are also cutting on the existing food systems as well as reducing waste from breastmilk substitutes.

Ecological footprint of breastfeeding

Breastfeeding for six months after birth requires on average an additional 500 kcal of energy a day. Although breastfeeding may require an additional intake of water depending on factors such as weather and activity levels, there is no evidence of the amount needed beyond meeting physiological requirements.

All parents should be supported to make healthy nutritional and planetary choices especially throughout the reproductive continuum, which includes breastfeeding.

Ecological footprint of breastmilk substitutes (BMS)

1. Dairy farming and the carbon trap;

The main ingredient of most BMS is cows’ and goats’ milk. Dairy farming typically releases substantial amounts of methane and other GHG. Furthermore, feed rations or grazing areas needed by dairy cattle can lead to deforestation. This in turn increases the amount of carbon dioxide, as trees are no longer available to absorb it and provide the carbon trap to prevent climate change. It’s also important to note that majority of the feed   rations for dairy animals are derived from cereals and soybeans grown with intensive use of pesticides and fertilisers. This leaves behind another major ecological footprint.

2. Energy sources and carbon emissions;

The production, packaging, distribution, transportation and preparation processes of BMS, as with most food production, requires energy. If the source of energy is fossil fuels, the carbon foot print (CFP)will be higher.

Ggovernments and industries are encourageed to work towards reducing carbon emissions and increasing renewable energy to meet global climate goals on climate change.

3. Waste in our environment

Waste is another factor to consider in terms of ecological footprint. Feeding one million babies with formula for two years requires on average approximately 150 million cans of formula. Metal cans, if not recycled, are likely to end up in landfill sites, while plastic, aluminium and paper waste often end up in our oceans.

4. Water footprint of BMS.

Water footprint refers to the total volume of fresh water used to produce the goods and services consumed by an individual or community or which are produced by a business.

BMS production and preparation require water and fresh water is a scarce natural resource and commodity and therefore needs to be protected. Efforts to conserve, recycle and replenish our water sources are essential.

Given the comparative analysis breastfeeding is very important and plays a key role in protecting the ecological systems and prevent environmental depletion.

It is therefore our responsibility to promote, protect and support breastfeeding for a healthier nation.

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”

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.

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.