To tackle menstrual health challenges and reduce school absenteeism among girls, NCBA Bank Uganda has partnered with AVSI to distribute reusable sanitary pads to learners in underserved communities.
The initiative, implemented under NCBA’s internal sustainability programme “Change the Story,” mobilised staff contributions alongside institutional support, raising Shs 18.5 million. The funds facilitated the procurement of 1,500 packs of reusable sanitary pads, each containing four pieces, aimed at improving menstrual hygiene management and helping girls stay in school.
Distribution is being carried out through AVSI’s established community outreach programmes, ensuring that the pads reach schools where access to menstrual hygiene products remains a persistent challenge.
This intervention comes amid growing concern over period poverty in Uganda, particularly among low-income households where disposable sanitary products are often unaffordable. Education stakeholders estimate that some girls miss four to five days of school each month due to menstruation, undermining academic performance and increasing the risk of school dropout.
“Over time, we have heard from education stakeholders that some schoolgirls miss up to four or five days of school each month during their menstrual periods, a situation that affects academic performance and, in some cases, increases the risk of dropping out,” said Deborah Maitum, the Head of Human Resources, NCBA Bank Uganda.
Reusable sanitary pads are emerging as a cost-effective and sustainable solution. When properly maintained, they can last several months, easing the financial burden on families while reducing environmental waste associated with single-use products.
Maitum noted that the initiative is designed not only to improve school attendance but also to promote dignity, confidence, and uninterrupted learning among adolescent girls. She added that the programme aligns with NCBA’s broader sustainability agenda, which focuses on advancing education, promoting environmentally responsible solutions, and driving inclusive community development.
AVSI’s role remains central to the rollout. Leveraging its network of grassroots projects, the organisation ensures effective distribution while integrating the intervention into broader efforts aimed at improving education outcomes and community wellbeing.
“The initiative highlights the role the private sector can play in supporting community development and addressing barriers that affect vulnerable groups, especially adolescent girls striving to complete their education,” Maitum said.
AVSI Country Manager, John Makoha, welcomed the partnership, noting that it aligns with the organisation’s mission of expanding access to education for girls.
“Today, we witness the handover of reusable sanitary pads from NCBA Bank Uganda. This is a very important initiative for us because, as an organisation, we focus on increasing access to education for the girl child,” Makoha said.
He added that even modest improvements in girls’ access to education deliver significant economic returns, contributing to national growth and strengthening human capital development. Makoha further highlighted that lack of sanitary products remains a leading factor in school dropouts, undermining both education outcomes and socio-economic progress.
“Initiatives such as this are critical in ensuring that more girls remain in school, complete their education, and realise their full potential,” he said.