Programme Overview

HAFT-UG conducted a two-day Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) workshop across four secondary schools in Fort Portal on 22nd and 23rd August 2024. The workshop is part of HAFT's flagship Life of a Menstruating Girl campaign, addressing school absenteeism linked to lack of menstrual supplies and stigma.

Topics Addressed

• Menstrual Hygiene: Normal menstrual cycle, hygiene practices during menstruation, management of cramps, and dispelling common myths and taboos.
• Reusable Pad Production: Hands-on training sessions where students and female teachers produced washable menstrual pads from locally available cotton fabrics. Each participant completed two pads.
• Reproductive Health: Age-appropriate education on puberty, consent, and accessing school counsellors and district health services.

Attendance

214 adolescent girls (ages 12–18) participated across four schools, alongside 18 female teachers who were trained as ongoing MHM champions within their schools. Headteachers from all four schools signed a commitment to establish private menstrual hygiene facilities in each school.

Materials Distributed

Each participating student received a fabric kit for making two additional reusable pads at home. HAFT also donated a two-month supply of commercially produced pads as an immediate bridge measure.

Follow-Up Plan

HAFT will return in November 2024 to assess pad production uptake, inspect hygiene facility progress, and conduct a refresher session. A teacher champion WhatsApp group has been created for ongoing support.