Hope Alert Network for Development and Local Empowerment-Uganda plans to provide sanitary packs to 2000 extremely vulnerable refugee girls settled in the southern Sudanese refugee camps in northern Uganda. The provision of sanitary packs will include; sensitizing girls on the menstrual health hygiene, training on making the re-usable sanitary pads and the provision of underwear to girls at school in the refugee settlements of Bididi, Palabek Gem & Palabeg Ogili to reduce on school drop out.
South Sudan's civil war, which began in December 2013, continued in 2016 -2017 with serious impact on women and children being displaced in Uganda. A survey conducted by United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees noted that up to 70% of the South Sudan refugee girls are shying away from studies due to girls experience shame, embarrassment, and discomfort during menstruation due to the inadequate access to affordable and preferred private and safe facilities at schools.
By providing training on the making the re-usable sanitary pads, sensitizing girls on menstrual hygiene management and Provision of girls' underwear, girls are encouraged and empowered to study with confidence among boys, and the level of stigmatization will be reduced. Person hygiene will be improved and the level of school drop outs will be reduced.
The project will provide sanitary pads and other services to 2000 girls hence allowing many girls to complete their primary education and maintain their health hygiene. In addition, with the training on making re-usable sanitary pads, the organization aims at reaching over 4000 girls both in the refugee settlements and within the host communities. This will increase girl's performance at school and reduce drop out.
