Menstrual periods no longer a challenge for girls in Kampala Slum Communities "They are unstoppable!!"

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Menstruation is one of the challenges that keep adolescent girls out of school. In most developing countries, many drop out of school, some miss school, while in some communities, the onset of menstruation signifies marriage. 


While menstruation is a natural part of growing up for girls, the first menstrual period is a surprise for many. The Girls at Children’s corner junior school, Makerere Kivulu slum Community are not any different, they too lacked accurate information and knowledge about menstruation. However, through the community Outreach Campaigns in collaboration with AFRIPADS, RAISING TEENAGERS, JOYFORCHILDREN UGANDA AND SIMPLE STEPS FOUNDATION, the girls are being educated about their menstruation for them to learn how to manage their periods and these trainings are done inclusively with adolescents with disabilities.

The menstrual hygiene management activities are among the interventions that should be done and supported by all stake holders, NGO`s and Government actioners to address challenges that impact enrollment retention and completion of education for girls. Here is how the outreach campaigns we carried out have supported the girls overcome menstruation related challenges to stay in school.



These girls were not fully informed about menstruation. They were not free with menstruation. Sometimes when a girl got her period at school, she would go away immediately and abandon all the lessons for days. Sometimes when it begun at home, she would absent herself from school, the Simple Steps Foundation has a passion for girls’ education and would never want to hear of any girl anywhere drop out of school.


At nine years, while attending a church service, I stood up to sing, and the girl behind told me my skirt was soiled. I was very scared; I thought something had hurt me, so I decided to run home, to clean up. I bathed and changed clothes, but they too got soiled in a few minutes. I bathed again, and this time soiled the chair. Very confused, I decided to talk to my mother, who comforted me before telling me I had started my menstruation period. I had never heard of menstruation, 

"Melisa Achola P7  candidate"

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