Comments on naijablog: Menstruation and school attendance in Uganda..

Sorry to beat a dead horse...but Change.org recent...

2010-03-05T05:15:09.436+01:00

Sorry to beat a dead horse...but Change.org recently posted on the issue of menstruation and school absenteeism and how the jury is still out on whether there is such a strong correlation.
http://globalhealth.change.org/blog/view/can_a_piece_of_cloth_keep_girls_in_school
When I read it, I thought again about this post.

The post highlights a study conducted in Nepal that found that several girls missed school not necessarily about because of lack of pads but because of other associated symptoms, particularly cramping. This problem, I know is not limited to the developing setting (ask just about any female who's experienced painful periods on the regular).

Hello All, I just wanted to inform you about a co...

2009-11-28T13:26:55.120+01:00

Hello All,

I just wanted to inform you about a company that my girlfriend and I have established called Afri-Pads Ltd. We manufacture and distribute (for an extremely low cost) reusable menstrual pads throughout Uganda.

We noticed this problem of menstruation-related absenteeism among schoolgirls when we were volunteering in Uganda last year, and decided to do something about it.

All of our materials to make the product are locally bought in Uganda, and we are currently employing over 20 rural girls who assist with the tailoring of the pads. The girls are paid a more-than-fair wage, equivalent to that of a school teacher in Uganda.

Our overall goal is to upscale our production so that we make upwards of 140,000 pads/year, selling them locally to end-users (Ugandan schoolgirls) at a cost of 3,000 UGX/package. Our packages last approximately one year and therefore cost the girls 12.5 cents/month.

Please check us out at www.afripads.com.

We also accept donations, which we use to purchase our own pads and distribute them to girls that can't afford even the cost of 3,000 UGX. Please follow this link to make a donation:

www.givemeaning.com/project/afripads

Thank you for your time,

Pauls Grinvalds
Co-Director, Afri-Pads Ltd.

@Akin - Yes it is quite unfortunate that such has ...

2009-10-26T08:10:38.569+01:00

@Akin - Yes it is quite unfortunate that such has not gained traction.

The trouble I see with foreign donors (particularly Western tampon/pad/diva cup companies) is that their efforts could undermine cheaper locally produced pads. It's the perfect marketing strategy - develop brand loyalty amongst young **educated** African women, who later will serve as your gainfully-employed customer base.

I have not looked into the study, but I believe it is around the onset of menarche that several young women leave primary school and enter secondary school. Did the study take this into consideration the fact that primary education is free, whereas secondary school is not? Stating the obvious here, but when it comes to choosing between sending the boy to secondary school versus the girl - the choice overwhelmingly goes towards educating the male child for reasons beyond menstruation. It's funny how menstruation prevents girls from going to school, but not from doing anything else.

Anya, I use DIVA or MOON cups, but you need a plac...

2009-10-24T11:55:30.764+01:00

Anya, I use DIVA or MOON cups, but you need a place where their is water when you need to empty it out. It is the future, but in a place where water is a problem,this might not be ideal.

I don't know why you wonder if this obtained i...

2009-10-24T07:24:46.725+01:00

I don't know why you wonder if this obtained in Nigeria. I went to a Jakande school in Lagos and many of my friends used old cloth rag during their menstruation. Instead, of using it, I just skipped school during my period. I got my first pad when I was 15! We just couldn't afford it. It was way too expensive. Although, I can now afford it, but I know of relatives in the village who combine leaf and rag together for menstruation. I thought this kind of experience is only unique to me until I started talking to friends when I got to university. I applaud the Ugandans for their effort. Why can't we do the same in Nigeria.

The case reported here of how the Ugandan people r...

2009-10-24T06:00:25.104+01:00

The case reported here of how the Ugandan people reported the menstrual case to the Government and how the Government treated the matter is a thing of joy compared to the Uganda of the Idi-amin Dada`s era.

This is to show that only functional democracy is the only hope for proper development of any state.

Well in Nigeria, the Government of the various states of the Federation are doing their best to attend to the needs of the people.

The only problem with the Nigeria state is the MONSTER called PDP. Until this monster is given the proper treatment and made to understand that the people of every country must be allowed to determine their fate and not a handful of money hungry idiots ganging up to determine the fate of the people using force to suppress any reaction by the dehumanized people of the Country.

Until the people of Nigeria rise to stop the usurping powers of this MONSTER called PDP., the democracy in Nigeria cannot be fine tuned to act like the example we have seen with the Ugandan Government and the Young teens mentrual problem.

Hello Jeremy, I am really surprised by this devel...

2009-10-24T01:36:43.848+01:00

Hello Jeremy,

I am really surprised by this development.

Hardly 3 years ago a ZanaA had partnered with Dr. Musaazi of Makerere University to distribute locally produced and affordable sanitary pads called Makapads.

This development was acknowledged, lauded and showcased, the idea was these local technologies would become commonplace.

To now hear that this has not gained traction in Uganda since is disheartening.

Those ideas need to be looked at again and suitable business models adopted to make this an affordable solution to developing countries.

The moral imperative must be part of what persuades governments to get involved in ensuring girls are not hindered by natural elements puberty from getting ahead in life.

Regards,

Akin

Forget about Menstrual Pads which are disposable, ...

2009-10-24T00:25:40.523+01:00

Forget about Menstrual Pads which are disposable, these girl should be given DIVA CUPS & thought the proper way to use them hygienically. Diva cups can last up to ten years, thus; breaking away that dependence on sanitary pads.

And separate toilets are ESSENTIAL! I wonder if anything similar is going on in remote parts of Nigeria.

I'm sure some places in Nigeria with similar a...

2009-10-23T22:06:58.246+01:00

I'm sure some places in Nigeria with similar attitiudes and SES will have the same issues...

Very sad..Perhaps a foundation should start giving...

2009-10-23T20:09:23.719+01:00

Very sad..Perhaps a foundation should start giving out pads. That is one initiative that would make a huge impact.

I would gladly donate to such initiative.

Any Ugandans in the house?