Safepad Uganda, a women-led organisation, has unveiled Safepad, a reusable pad, locally crafted to improve on the menstrual hygiene solution.
The development was announced during a media engagement held at the International University of East Africa and addressed by representatives from Safepad Uganda and the Ministry of Health.
In her address, Trine Angeline Sig, the CEO of Safepad, said the lack of access to safe and consistent menstrual hygiene products in Uganda has had adverse effects on the quality of life of millions of girls in Uganda, saying, “With this initiative, we are looking to increase access to a high-quality, safe and sustainable product at an affordable cost.”
A report from the Ministry of Education and Sports on its implementation of menstrual health management in the country indicated that about 23% of Ugandan girls in the age group of 12-18 drop out of school when they begin menstruation.
Additionally, a 2018 feasibility study on menstrual health and school absenteeism among adolescent girls in Uganda (MENISCUS) The BioMedical Centre indicated that school absence in Uganda is at 28% during period days, compared to 7% in non-period days.
According to Safepad Uganda, the product offers comfort, advanced absorption capabilities, and an eco-friendly design in a wide range of sizes and styles and will be available to the public through leading retailers for as low as UGX 8,500.
Angeline added, “As we embark on this journey to fulfil our commitment to supporting menstrual health in Uganda, the Safepads production centre is also helping to address the gender-based socioeconomic discrepancies in the country by creating decent jobs that empower women.”
Ladhi Stokes, Public Relations Officer, International University of East Africa, revealed that pads are a daily necessity to girls, which affects everyone at the university, and Safepad aligns With the the university.
She called for more solutions towards improving menstrual hygiene.
