The Union Transport Alliance has launched a campaign to provide sanitary pads to one million school-going girls across Uganda.
Dubbed “1 Million Pads for 1 Million Girls,” the initiative is part of the alliance’s KILI CLEAR Campaign and is being run with The Mental Health Awareness Initiative (TMHAI).
The campaign follows the June 20 launch of Union Sanitary Pads under the KILI CLEAR brand. Union says the goal is to address period poverty, which it links to school absenteeism and dropouts. According to the alliance, one in four girls in Uganda miss school or drop out due to lack of menstrual hygiene products.
Through the drive, Union and TMHAI plan to mobilize public and private sector support to distribute one million packs of Union pads. The alliance will use its nationwide transport network to reach schools in underserved communities.
Fred Ssenoga Bagenda, CEO of Union Transport Alliance, said the project goes beyond selling affordable pads.
“Today, we are taking our promise to make sanitary pads affordable for every woman and girl even further,” he said at the launch.
“Through ‘1 Million Pads for 1 Million Girls,’ we are reaching girls who cannot afford them at all. This is a national movement to ensure that no girl ever misses school because of her period.”
Union Transport Alliance Chairman Frank Mawejje said about 50 schools have already been signed on. “Already, we have about 50 schools on board, and we are committed to visiting these schools and supporting girls directly,” he said.
“This is not just about today; it is about building a movement where one million girls are empowered every year to stay in school with confidence and dignity.”
Dr Richard Mugahi, Commissioner for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry of Health, said poor access to menstrual products contributes to absenteeism and dropout.
“We have seen cases where girls miss school due to inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products, and this can contribute to school dropout, vulnerability and other social challenges,” he said.
Dr Mugahi added that menstrual health offers a chance to deliver broader reproductive health education to adolescents.
He said government, with the Ministry of Education, is piloting improved sanitation in selected schools, including changing rooms and safe disposal systems. The pilot will start in parts of northern Uganda.
“This is a comprehensive process that we are looking at as government, and we want to support this effort of the private sector to ensure that no girl is left behind,” he said.
Union says a donation of UGX 20,000 provides one pack of 100 pads, enough for one girl for a year. Donations can be made by dialing *289*9#. Donors can choose a specific school or support Union-designated beneficiary schools.