Uganda Red Cross launches “Keep a Girl in School” initiative

Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports and partners, on Thursday launched a countrywide initiative dubbed: 'Keep a Girl in School’, aimed at improving Menstrual Health Management among Primary and Secondary School going adolescent and young women.

The event was hosted by Mackay Memorial College- Nateete, one of the Menstrual Health Management model Schools in Rubaga division, Kampala.

The initiative under the theme; “Empowered Girls, Empowered Mothers, Empowered Communities”, is championed by Uganda Red Cross Good Ambassadors, who are volunteers and good friends of Red Cross.

The Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, said the Ministry has implemented a number of interventions aimed at improving Menstrual Health Management among adolescent girls, especially those in Primary and Secondary Schools.

She enumerated the key initiatives to include; Construction of latrines/toilets and washrooms, provision of water harvesting facilities, hand washing facilities and provision of Sanitary towels.

She pointed out other initiatives to include; production and dissemination of information, education and communication materials in form of Reader, Video and Circular on Menstrual Health Management and training learners plus teachers, in addition to partnership building among others.

“All the above are initiatives of the Ministry and we are happy to contribute to the wellbeing of children, especially the girls to ensure that they remain in School and complete to achieve their dreams”, she said, in a speech read on her behalf by Minister of State for Primary Education, Rosemary Sseninde.

Robert Kwesiga, the Secretary General, Uganda Red Cross Society, said the initiative is part of the Uganda Red Cross Society Health and Social Service Agenda under WASH Interventions.

“As we strive to promote the dignity of the people we serve, menstrual health management lies at the centre of the WASH interventions we undertake. It plays a crucial role around important issues such as health, education, protection and security of women and adolescent girls, both in emergency and in the development context”, he said.

Jocelyn Rugunda, the Patron Red Cross Society of Uganda, said women and children are the most affected in humanitarian circumstances.

“Good Will Ambassadors started their humanitarian gestures long time ago, during insurgency caused by Lords Resistance Army (LRA), where our activities focused at helping internally displaced persons in Northern Uganda and other parts of the country”, she said.

The launch was in partnership with Stanbic Bank, DfCU Bank, Fresh Diary, MAAD McCANN, Pizza Hut and SKYZ Hotel among others.