First Lady Janet dismisses ‘degrading’ reusable sanitary pads

The first lady and minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, has taken issues with the promotion and distribution of reusable sanitary pads to schoolgirls in Uganda citing health and dignity concerns.

During her statement at the National Youth Convention on Friday, Ms Museveni complained about the name of the reusable pads; “Africa Pad” possibly referring to AfriPad the largest, certified producer of reusable pads in Uganda claiming it was degrading to Africa. Furthermore, she wondered whether it was hygienically safe for the girls to use reusable sanitary pads.

“Recently, somebody came to me and wanted to make sanitary towels for girls which are reusables and they call them ‘Afri Sanitary pads’. Afri reusable sanitary towels. I said; ‘isn’t that strange?’ Why are reusable sanitary towels called Africa? What does that mean? Why should our children be the ones to use reusable sanitary towels? Why? I said how can I promote that? I couldn’t stomach that and I said to him unless he has a different strategy I couldn’t support that,” said Ms Museveni.

“I know that our children need sanitary towels, I know that we say girls drop out of school because they lack sanitary towels, but I couldn’t see myself promoting reusable sanitary towels when other cultures have disposals. I couldn’t stomach that and I said to him that, unless he has a different strategy, I couldn’t support that,” she added.

Research however shows that reusable pads were scientifically proven that they are hygienically safe if they are washed and dried properly just like any other underwear. They were found to be free of any smells or pathogens. In fact, although disposable sanitary pads tend to give off an offensive smell once they come into contact with blood due to the chemicals therein, reusable sanitary pads are said to be free of this.

Hope Nankunda, the executive director of Health Promotions and Rights Watch Uganda, acknowledges the aspirations of girls to menstruate with dignity. She agrees with the first lady’s emphasis on the importance of ensuring that girls have the best available means to manage their periods, such as disposable sanitary towels.

However, Nankunda points out that before dismissing the idea of reusable sanitary pads, it’s crucial to consider the dire circumstances in poor rural families where even affording a meal can be a struggle, let alone a sanitary pad.

“In these impoverished areas, sanitary pads are often perceived as a luxury item. To such families, a reusable pad can be a practical and valuable resource,” she added.

Nankunda goes on to explain that, even without reusable pads, girls in these situations still menstruate, and one might wonder how they manage. Many resort to using old clothes, which they wash and reuse, but a proven, safer option like reusable sanitary towels could be a significantly better solution if made available to them.

Her perspective highlights the need for considering the economic realities and practicalities faced by girls and their families in disadvantaged regions, where alternative solutions like reusable sanitary pads may offer a lifeline to maintaining dignity and health during menstruation.

“For girls who cannot afford to buy sanitary pads every month because of the cost that comes with it, better they are supported to acquire reusable sanitary pads. And while some people may look at it like it is dirty or anything, they should also be mindful that even when we don’t give them these reusables, somehow they are menstruating and they are managing. Do we know what they are using? They are using old clothes which they also wash and use another month. Some of those who cannot afford old clothes, you go to school and they tell you they are using dry grass. All that is a danger to the girl child who cannot afford. So it is better that this problem is looked at with a sense,” she said.

During the event, Ms Museveni maintained the perspective that the provision of sanitary pads should primarily be the responsibility of parents. However, she believes that the government should play a vital role in supporting families to develop sustainable livelihoods that can enable them to provide for their children, as alternative interventions have proven to be ineffective.

“Their [girls’] parents must strive to make sure that they make enough money to ensure that their children have what they need but get what other children use. Disposable, not reusable because you don’t know what reusable can get to your child. What infections it can bring tomorrow?” she added. 

This has been her long-standing argument, exemplified in her statements over the years. For instance, in 2020, during a televised broadcast while reviewing the progress of implementing the NRM manifesto in alignment with the education sector, Ms Museveni emphasized that if the government were to assume the responsibility of parents, it should do so in a sustainable manner through a well-funded national project.

Furthermore, she proposed the idea of establishing a factory dedicated to manufacturing sanitary pads that could be distributed at no cost to all schoolgirls across the country, presenting a vision for a self-sustaining solution to the pressing issue of menstrual hygiene among young girls.

The provision of sanitary pads to girls has remained a prominent and pressing political issue in Uganda for over a decade. Research has established a critical link between girls’ school dropout rates and the challenges they face during menstruation. Many girls, lacking access to sanitary towels, skip school due to the fear of embarrassment and discomfort.

In a significant 2012 study conducted by the International Rescue Centre, it was revealed that one in ten menstruating girls misses school for four days every month, adding up to a total of approximately 24 days per year. Menstrual hygiene activists have been relentless in their efforts to advocate for the government to provide free sanitary towels to all girls, much like the government’s distribution of free condoms to promote safe sex.

In the lead-up to the 2016 presidential campaigns, President Yoweri Museveni, who was seeking and eventually won his fifth presidential term, made a pledge to provide free sanitary pads to students, among other promises, if he was reelected to office.

“I want all our daughters to attend school and remain there until they complete their studies. One of the reasons that force our daughters out of school, is that when their periods start, they do not have sanitary pads. When they are in class, they soil their dresses. So they run away from school,” the president said and it was anticipated that this promise would materialize in the fiscal year 2017/18 but it has not materialized to date.