DAR ES SALAAM: UJUZI – Tanzania’s Skills Forum, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has called on the government to create strategies that will make sanitary pads accessible and affordable for schoolgirls.
The organisation emphasises that the current high cost of sanitary pads is a significant barrier to girls’ education.
Statistics reveal that girls without access to sanitary pads miss three to four classes each month due to menstruation, leading to an estimated 30 to 40 missed school days each year.
Speaking at the Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Hackathon held over the weekend, UJUZI’s CEO, Ms Kai Maembe, emphasised the importance of affordable sanitary pads, noting that the current price range of 1,500/- to 3,000/- is beyond the reach of many girls from low-income families.
“There is a real need for affordable sanitary solutions for young girls who struggle with this basic necessity,” Ms Maembe said.
The hackathon, which brought together over 30 secondary school girls from Dar es Salaam, included discussions, group activities and interactive sessions led by healthcare professionals and UJUZI volunteers.
The event focused on menstrual health and reducing the stigma associated with menstruation.
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Ms Maembe also urged the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups to raise public awareness about Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and address social stigmas around menstruation.
Ms Fatma Omari, a teacher at Mtakuja Beach Secondary School, highlighted the challenges faced by students from poor backgrounds, who often cannot afford sanitary pads, leading them to stay home during their periods.
“A large percentage of our students are from low-income families, making access to sanitary pads is a significant challenge,” she explained.
Hanifa Bahati, a Form One student from Mtakuja Beach Secondary School, expressed gratitude for the menstrual hygiene education provided by UJUZI.
“We learned how to maintain hygiene during menstruation and support each other if one of us faces an emergency,” she said, promising to use her new knowledge to assist other girls.
UJUZI hopes that such initiatives will encourage stakeholders to enhance menstrual hygiene awareness and make sanitary products accessible for all schoolgirls.
