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Menstrual Health Education & Product Access
Overview
Across many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Uganda, adolescent girls, particularly those from economically disadvantaged households, face significant challenges in accessing adequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) facilities and products(Namuwonge et al., 2025). In low-income and rural communities, limited access to affordable, high-quality sanitary items often forces girls to rely on unsafe materials like old cloth or paper and other improvised alternatives.
This state of period poverty directly undermines their confidence and restricts their participation in both school and everyday life. To address these barriers, Irise Institute East Africa (IIEA) implements sustainable initiatives across primary and secondary schools and community settings to ensure girls experience menstrual dignity and equal opportunity at all levels
Period Positive Schools
Funded by Irise International, the Period Positive Schools Project promotes menstrual health in government-aided schools and refugee-hosting communities. This project integrates education, the distribution of reusable pads, and the strengthening of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) systems to create safe and supportive learning environments. By working closely with teachers, district authorities, and community champions, IIEA promotes long-term, cost-effective solutions that dismantle stigma, misinformation, and systemic barriers to ensure all girls, including those with disabilities, can remain in school and thrive.
The Cova Project
Under The Cova Project, we provide structured menstrual health training and support for young women and girls to safely use environmentally friendly menstrual cups. This initiative aims to bridge the school attendance gap caused by period poverty by providing practical, evidence-based education and developing materials with accurate visual representations to build confidence and strengthen knowledge of personal health.
Product Distribution
To support menstrual dignity for vulnerable groups, IIEA distributes period panties to girls with special needs across selected primary schools in Jinja, addressing the unique challenges they face in managing their periods safely and comfortably. We support equitable access to menstrual products by working with grassroots partners to distribute safe, affordable, and context-appropriate materials to those who need them most. Our approach prioritises underserved communities, including in-school adolescents, out-of-school youth, and women in low-resource settings. Distribution is integrated with Menstrual Health Education and community engagement to ensure products are accompanied by accurate information on menstrual health, hygiene practices, and safe product use. We collaborate with schools, community groups, and local leaders to reach beneficiaries effectively and sustainably.