By Nasser Kayanja
Parents have been urged to pay closer attention to the health and wellbeing of their daughters following reports that some girls are beginning menstruation as early as seven years of age, a development educators say is increasingly affecting school attendance and academic performance.
The concern was raised during a donation drive at St. Paul Church of Uganda Primary School, where the Transporters Alliance—an umbrella body bringing together boda boda riders, truck drivers, bus operators, and taxi operators—donated more than 350 packs of sanitary pads as part of its “One Million Girls” campaign. The initiative aims to provide schoolgirls with enough sanitary pads to support them throughout the year.
Speaking during the event, the school’s Headteacher, Betty Mulaaza, said inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products remains one of the leading reasons many girls miss classes or eventually drop out of school.
Mulaaza revealed that the school has witnessed an increasing number of pupils experiencing menstruation at a very young age, including a girl in Primary Top Class who began menstruating at just seven years old. She said the trend calls for greater awareness among parents and caregivers to ensure girls receive the support they need both at home and at school.
She emphasized that the lack of sanitary pads often leaves girls feeling embarrassed and isolated, forcing many to stay away from school during their menstrual periods.
Transporters Alliance Chairman Frank Mawejje reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting vulnerable schoolgirls through annual sanitary pad donations. He said the initiative is intended to keep girls in school, improve their confidence, and reduce the risk of early pregnancies associated with school dropout.
Mawejje also appealed to parents, community leaders, and other stakeholders to play a more active role in supporting the girl child by ensuring they have access to proper menstrual hygiene products and guidance.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to promote menstrual health, improve school retention among girls, and create a supportive learning environment for young learners across Uganda.