Education Ministry to regulate price, quality of sanitary pads

Currently, the price of disposable sanitary towels ranges between 3,500 and 7,000 shillings for popular brands like Always.

Rosette Nanyanzi, the Gender Technical Adviser at the Ministry says while the government has tried to regulate the price of sanitary pads, more can be done to ensure that the products are cheap.

It is estimated that girls who cannot access sanitary pads miss up to three days of school.

According to Nanyanzi, the time lost is irreversible and the plan will help ensure that a sustainable solution is found.

The plan will also look at how the government can provide sanitary pads to girls in schools. At the moment, the Ministry of Education in a pilot study is providing sanitary pads to 40 districts benefiting 25 schools in each area. Some of the benefiting districts include Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Buliisa, Otuke,Hoima, Namayingo, Mayuge, Aleptong and Nakasongola.

The plan will also look at social and cultural norms related to menstruation that tend to keep girls out of school.

Dr Joyce Moriku Kadacu, the minister in-charge of Primary Education says the plan is needed to ensure that women get the help they need during menstruation days.

According to Dr Kaducu the plan is a multi-sectoral approach that will help push forward menstrual hygiene. She adds that it will also help prevent teenage pregnancies since girls will be taught what the changes to their bodies mean.

On Saturday, Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate the World Menstrual Hygiene day.