The Rotary Club of Kitante has launched the Safe Shield Project, an initiative aimed at raising awareness on menstrual hygiene and training schoolgirls in the use of reusable sanitary pads.
The project was unveiled at KCCA Primary School in Kamwokya on Thursday, where pupils were trained on menstrual health, reusable pads, and issues related to early pregnancy and stigma.
Speaking during the launch, Rotary Club of Kitante President, Maximilia Byenkya, said the project is designed to address the high cost of disposable sanitary pads, which often forces many girls out of school during their menstrual periods.
“This afternoon we are here at KCCA Primary School for two reasons. One is to create awareness on menstrual hygiene to the young pupils. But also to train them on how to use reusable sanitary pads,” Byenkya explained.
She emphasized that cost remains one of the biggest barriers for many families in slum communities like Kamwokya.
“We all know that the sanitary pads on the market are quite expensive, and sometimes people in the community cannot afford them. It means that when they are in their periods, they miss school. We don’t want children to be missing school because they do not have the right products to use,” she noted.
Byenkya added that reusable pads offer both affordability and environmental benefits.
“The reusable sanitary pads are environmentally friendly because you use them, wash them, and use them again. The lifespan of such a pad is about two years. Instead of using it once and throwing it away, you reuse it. That can go a long way in keeping girls in school,” she said.
She further encouraged pupils to learn how to make their own pads, which could even provide an income-generating opportunity.
“When you learn properly, you can actually make pads and sell to other people or even your fellow pupils. That way, we are not only addressing the problem of menstrual hygiene but also empowering young girls with skills,” Byenkya said.
The Rotary Club leader also used the platform to speak against stigma faced by girls during menstruation, calling on boys to support their peers instead of mocking them.
“Sometimes, as women, we face stigma from boys. Maybe your skirt gets stained accidentally, and then the boys laugh at you. For the boys who are here, we want to create awareness. This is a normal thing for your sisters, mothers, or aunties. Never laugh at the girls—just support them,” she urged.
During the event, pupils also participated in a quiz session on menstrual hygiene and were taken through demonstrations on how to use reusable pads.
The Safe Shield Project further included discussions on early pregnancy and sexual violence, with Byenkya urging pupils to report abuse immediately.
“If you are raped, you must report to the police or your teachers. You don’t keep quiet. These are the issues that force girls out of school, and we want to make sure you are informed,” she said.
Headmaster of KCCA Primary School Kamwokya, Francis Katabira, commended the Rotary Club of Kitante for their continued support, noting that this was one of many initiatives they have extended to the school.
“I appreciate the Rotary Club of Kitante for the partnership and we pray it continues. Rotarians have renovated modern toilets, donated water tanks, stocked our library with books, and even taught our teachers in a new teaching format that involves parents,” Katabira said.
He added that the latest campaign on menstrual hygiene would go a long way in improving school attendance among girls.
The Rotary Club of Kitante has previously worked with the school on projects such as water collection, sanitation, and literacy, making the Safe Shield Project another milestone in their ongoing collaboration.