In 40 schools in Mityana and Kassanda districts, managing menstruation at school is no longer a silent struggle for many adolescent girls, thanks to TeamUp Uganda’s targeted interventions.
At the heart of this effort is advocacy for mainstreaming menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and sexual reproductive health (SRH) education in schools with a mission to ensure every girl has the knowledge, products, and support needed to manage menstruation with dignity, without missing school.
A comprehensive approach that blends school-based education, peer learning, and community engagement through interactive sessions each academic term is used to teach adolescents about menstruation, bodily changes, hygiene practices, and reproductive health.
To keep the conversations going beyond the classroom, peer educators are trained to lead menstrual health discussions with their classmates and foster a culture of openness and support.
Parents, teachers, school leaders, health workers, community elders, and local government are also involed through dialogues to challenge stigma, break cultural taboos, and build lasting understanding.
“We’re making menstruation something that can be talked about openly, in class, at home, and in the community. Girls are no longer ashamed. They’re asking questions, getting answers, and showing up at school with confidence,” Says teacher Aisha Namukuye, Kiggwa Secondary School, Butayunja subcounty, Mityana District.
So far, over 1,200 adolescents have benefited from TeamUp’s SRH and MHM sessions resulting in:
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Some schools still lack adequate sanitation facilities, and access to affordable menstrual products is inconsistent. These gaps can still impact girls’ ability to attend and participate fully in school.
The focus is now on integrating MHM into school plans, curricula, and budgets, advocating for gender-responsive WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure and long-term support at the policy level.
Youth groups are supporting then program through producing reusable and affordable menstrual hygiene products and making them accessible to school girls.