Menstrual health management (MHM) is using a clean menstrual management material to absorb or collect blood that can be changed in privacy as often as necessary for the duration of the menstruation period, using soap and water for washing the body as required, and having access to facilities to dispose of used menstrual management material.
It is crucial for the well-being and empowerment of women and girls. Globally, over 800 million women menstruate daily, yet 500 million lack access to adequate menstrual products and facilities, with Uganda facing significant challenges (UNICEF). A 2023 study revealed that 90.5% of Ugandan girls fail to meet adequate MHM criteria, often due to poverty and cultural stigmas. In Uganda, 35% of the population lives on less than $1.90 daily, making sanitary pads costing $1.35 for a pack of 10 unaffordable for many. This leads to school absenteeism, with nearly 25% of girls aged 12–18 dropping out once menstruation begins, severely impacting their education and future opportunities.
Improved MHM ensures access to clean menstrual products, safe sanitation facilities, and education, fostering dignity and confidence. Without it, girls face health risks like infections and psychological stress from stigma, which hinders their ability to participate fully in school and society. In Uganda, cultural and religious beliefs often exacerbate these issues. For instance, some communities view menstruation as impure, among some Ugandan ethnic groups with animistic traditions believe that menstrual blood attracts negative supernatural forces or spirits, it is also believed that contact with menstrual blood could cause illness or bad luck particularly for men or hunters hence barring girls from religious activities or cooking, reinforcing shame. In certain rural areas, myths persist that painkillers harm future fertility, deterring girls from managing menstrual pain leading to persistent school missed days. Traditionally it is said that menstruating girls shouldn’t eat certain foods like meat which restricts nutrition consequently leading to malnutrition.
Cultural and religious leaders can drive change by promoting open dialogue and education. In Uganda, initiatives like AFRI pads have trained 32,500 community leaders, including religious figures, to educate over 110,900 women and girls on MHM. Leaders can integrate menstrual health into sermons or community gatherings, challenging taboos. For example, in Ghana, similar efforts through the School Health Education Program have included menstrual education, reducing stigma. Leaders can also advocate for stigma free menstruation or subsidized menstrual products. In Rwanda, religious leaders from interfaith councils lobbied for free menstrual products in schools, citing gender equality as a moral imperative. Their advocacy led to a 2021 policy providing pads to 600,000 girls whereas In South Africa, traditional healers and community leaders used storytelling and art exhibitions to address menstrual stigma.
To overcome cultural barriers, community-based education programs can dispel myths. Engaging boys, as done in a Ugandan pilot study training teachers and students, reduces teasing and fosters understanding. Providing gender-separated sanitation facilities with locks, water, and disposal bins, as implemented in Eswatini, ensures privacy and safety, encouraging school attendance.
Did you know that , effective Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) reduces school absenteeism, boosts academic performance, re-claiming dignity and future economic prospects. In Uganda, a pilot intervention providing reusable pads and pain management increased girls’ attendance by addressing stigma and discomfort. Empowered girls stay in school, gain confidence, and break cycles of poverty, contributing to gender equality and community development. By fostering a supportive cultural and religious environment, we can ensure menstruation is a source of strength, not shame, for Uganda’s girls and women in and out of school.
Call to Action:SRHR Alliance Uganda beseeches all cultural and religious leaders, schools, and communities must unite to normalize menstruation. Support policies providing free menstrual products, improve WASH facilities, and integrate MHM education into curricula. Establish MHM leadership groups in communities, including religious leaders, to sustain menstrual management interventions.
Written By:
Denis Tumusiime , Communications Scholar