Unyama P7 school launches construction of girls’ changing facility

Gulu | Young Women Initiatives for Development [Ywide] under project of promoting menstrual hygiene management of girls aged 10-16 on Sunday launched the construction of a girls’ changing facility at Unyama primary school in Gulu district.

This is a one-year project funded by Spanish Development Cooperation with an aim of promoting girls’ child rights to good learning, and material hygiene, among others.

Adong Prisca Faith, 17, is waiting to sit PLE at Unyama primary school this year. A resident of Unyama village in Unyama sub-county Gulu district, she narrated during an interview with tndNews how young girls struggle to look for changing rooms to manage their menstruation.

The 17 year old said they end up using latrine which is not safe.

She said there is a shortage of changing facility in schools. “When a girl starts experiencing menstruation at school, they have to run up to home and spend more than 4 days.

“After spending a number of days, you have missed lessons and faced other stigmatization from boys which is fueling the level of young girls dropping out of schools in fear of being stigmatized,” she noted.

Adong further added that the results of mismanagement of menstruation at school has fueled poor performance. “The time you spend at home in managing your menstruation days can’t be recovered compared to others who have not been disturbed.

She teenager said any young girls who pass through stigma at school will not be free in her study.

Opiyo Christopher, 16, is also a PLE candidate at Unyama primary school. In an interview, he said some boys hope to give advise to a girl who is facing such problems. “However, some are heartless. They practice stigma and point at girls who are undergoing menstruation time.”

Opiyo further noted that in Unyama primary school, male learners have been involved in the project of making reusable pads to understand the meaning of menstruation and show of respect.

“When you see any young girls experiencing menstruation, you have to call her in a good manner, but not laugh at her.”

Hellen Rose Abwoyo, headteacher of Unyama primary school said the government has been supporting her school, but most support have been from non-governmental partners.

She said their are fear and ignorance of young girls during menstruation. “Sometimes this drive them to run up to the bush checking for places to change. This is affecting their learning and contributing to school dropout.”

The school has over 831 enrollments, were 429 are girls and 402 boys. “We have been without girls’ changing facilities. We are using rooms for senior woman teacher for changing, and latrine for breathing. It is a health risk to them.”

Acan Nighty Acaye, head teacher of Angaya primary school said last year, her school benefited from such a facility. “Today, the level of learning has increased; no missing of school by girls, enrollment has doubled.”

“With the available changing room and free sanitary pads, it has yielded girls’ performance and reduced school drop out of upper classes. However, the blame would be on the side of parents keeping their girls home.”

Currently, there are 623 enrolment with 333 girls and 293 boys. “There is good hygiene in my school – where girls and the local community are protecting the facility. Girls have formed duty roster to maintain the facility. They clean it every under the supervision of the head girl.”

Richard Lapoti, programme manager at Ywide said over shs 52 million has been allocated for the a one-year project aimed at supporting girls’ child education in Unyama sub-county.

“Over four government headed primary schools: Ogul, Unyama, Coopil and Angaya will benefit from this project as a way of managing menstrual hygiene of girls between 10-16 years old.

Justine Kidega, the LC3 chairperson of Unyama sub-county, said Unyama has designed a five year unique development plan.

“Unyama primary school is big and is the face of Gulu district, but for long it is operating without fences.”