LIFE OF OF A MENSTRUATING GIRL CAMPAIGN.

 HAFT want a community where  every girl can learn, play and safe-guard her own life without experiencing, shame,stress and denial to information.

Lack of information about menstruation leads to damaging misconceptions and discrimination and can cause girls to miss out  normal childhood experiences and activities

HAFT would like to carry out health education talks to the communities  as poor menstrual hygiene, resulting from limited access to sanitary menstrual materials, facilities and safe water, poses physical health risks and is linked to reproduction and urinary-tract infections. .

The proportion of women in Uganda with poor menstrual management remains above 50%. With unsafe disposal of sanitary napkins/ pads, poor personal hygiene, dirty clothing and lack of knowledge.

During menstruation  women and young girls experience nutritional, sexual and religious restrictions. Men and boys usually offer no assistance to women and girls in the management of their menses.

HAFT call to an end of this, and we  call upon our volunteers,  supporters, and all who work towards improving the health of othersa to join hands and suport to  this campaign 

LIFE OF A MENSTRUATING GIRL CHILD

menstruation is the normal shedding of blood and some uterus/womb lining. It is perfectly normal and happens every month, lasting for about 2-7 days, as the womb prepares for possible pregnancy. The first period can be greeted with celebration, fear or questions depending on the information given to adolescent girl. This is a transition to a womanhood. 27% of the global population are of reproductive age. On average a woman will menstruate for a total of about 7-8 years during their life time.
31% (almost) one in three women do not continue to work during menses. 43.8% do not continue with household chores, and 29.7% can’t continue with school.

Menstruation is one of the challenges that keeps adolescent girls out of school, in rural areas, many drop out of school, some miss school, while in some communities ,the onset of menstruation signifies that a girl is ready for marriage. Disabled girls and women who need care , face a lot of challenges with menstrual hygiene, like access to private places, water and materials to use.(more than 230 million lack menstrual equipment in Africa.

Menstruation is a natural part of growing up for a girl child, the first menstrual period is a surprise for many.

Due to poverty and lack of education it is estimated that more than 30% of Ugandan girls in poor and rural communities miss school because they have no access to sanitary pads.

They are exposed to a large number of risks and challenges including school drop out, teenage pregnancy, child marriage, a range of diseases, and sexual and gender based violence.

Locally, in the Rwenzori region of Western Uganda (Kyejojo, Kabarole, Bunyangabu, Kamwenyge, Ibanda , Kasese, Bundibujyo, Ntoroko and Kyegegwa districts) at least 250 girls drop out of school every term, and more than 100 girls are forced into marriage, as these cultures think menstruation is a sign that a girl is ready for marriage.

All this is happening because of lack of knowledge about menstruation .
HAFT-UGANDA and other stake holders need to promote menstrual health education for a better life for girls, and a better society for all in future

Geographical summary:

This HAFT project will be implemented in Western Uganda in the districts of Kabarole , Bunyangabu, Kamwege, Ntoroko, Kasese, Kyejojo and Bundibujo.

The scope of these activities will depend on the financial support of the organisation. Because of this we call upon all well-wishers , donors, supporters, volunteers, and all who are working to improve the health of others, for support.

Project beneficiaries/Target beneficiaries:
The target beneficiaries of this project include: needy women of child bearing age , teenage/adolescent girls and the older classes of primary school.

OUR VISION
TO become the best advocator of health life of a girl child

OUR MISSION
TO provide a free menstrual stigma experience and education.

ACTIVITIES

• Conduct district-based inception meetings to create awareness about the project among the district stakeholders.
• Conduct mass education to support community mobilization.
• Visiting of both primary and secondary schools, churches , mosques, and other institutions.
• Carrying out health education camps and provide supplies of sanitary materials
• Run radio spots messages on importance of good sanitary habits and hygiene to the community. Run poster and internet awareness campaign.