Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)

In developing countries, the issues regarding menstruation and lack of access to sanitary products are often kept silent, and what should be a right of passage into womanhood is often a gateway to dropping out of school.

Luhwahwa Youth Development Foundation is a voluntary, non-profit, community based, non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides support to marginalized communities across the Kasese district of western Uganda. One arm of our program is working on a holistic Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM).

Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)

Menstruation is a silent issue; half of adolescent girls consider it a disease and don’t know how to deal with it. Most girls/ women are unable to afford sanitary napkins. In a culture that treats menstruation as taboo, many issues relating to puberty, teen pregnancy, and early marriage limit a woman’s access to education. The lack of feminine products and information lead to girls dropping out of school early, as they have no opportunities to maintain their hygiene during menstrual periods, miss lessons and fall behind.

Most often, girls face the embarrassment of blood leaking through their clothes (spotting). This lack of protection leads most girls to miss up to five days of school monthly. That is a lot of days over the course of a school year – 6 weeks!

To address this, we are providing education, distributing reusable sanitary pads, building gender-separate toilets, and providing counseling. To create more public awareness, we also celebrate the 28th of May as the Menstrual Hygiene Day and International Day of Action for Women’s Health.

About the Author | Samuel Ndungo

Samuel Ndungo is co-founder and director of Luhwahwa Youth Development Foundation (LUYODEFO). He is an extension professional and a graduate in laboratory science, with a previous academic background of community service, majoring in agriculture. He is passionate about bringing about change through his organization. Visit them online at https://luyodefo-ug.org or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/luyodefo.

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1 comment to "Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)"

  • busindi annet

    I like the way you do your things. you look to be knowing what you are doing. But always put girls first because they are vulnerable. advocate for their rights