She Deserves Uganda (1)

Engaging Men and Boys in Overcoming Menstrual Stigma

by with No Comment Advocacy

Menstruation has long been shrouded in silence, often discussed in hushed tones. This reticence perpetuates stigma, misinformation, and a range of challenges that deeply affect girls and women. To drive meaningful change, it is essential to dismantle these barriers and include everyone in the dialogue, especially boys and men.

Understanding Menstrual Stigma: A Multifaceted Issue

Menstrual stigma is not merely a social concern but a complex issue with far-reaching implications:

  • Economic Impact: Globally, many girls miss school during their menstrual periods, which can significantly hinder their educational attainment and future economic prospects. According to UNICEF, one in ten girls in Africa is absent from school due to menstruation.
  • Health Risks: Inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products can lead to serious health issues, including infections and reproductive complications. In India, approximately 70% of girls and women lack sufficient menstrual hygiene facilities.
  • Psychological Effects: The shame and embarrassment associated with menstruation can contribute to low self-esteem and anxiety, further complicating the lives of those affected.

These realities underscore the urgent need to address menstrual stigma comprehensively and ensure that all individuals, regardless of gender, have access to the necessary information and resources.

The Essential Role of Boys and Men

Boys and men are not passive observers in this issue; they are vital partners in fostering a period-positive culture:

  • Education: Understanding the menstrual cycle and its associated challenges enables boys to become supportive allies. Research shows that boys who receive comprehensive sex education are more likely to develop positive attitudes towards menstruation.
  • Challenging Gender Norms: Boys and men can play a crucial role in dismantling harmful stereotypes by rejecting period-related jokes and discriminatory language.
  • Advocacy and Support: By advocating for policies that enhance menstrual health and hygiene, boys and men can contribute to creating a more equitable society.

As the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg aptly stated, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made,” including decisions about their own health and bodies. Engaging boys and men in this dialogue is a significant step towards achieving gender equality.

A Call to Action

To effectively break the silence surrounding menstruation, a collective effort is necessary. Here are actionable steps to contribute to a period-positive world:

  • Promote Open Dialogue: Encourage discussions about menstruation in educational settings, homes, and communities.
  • Advocate for Access: Support policies that ensure menstrual products are affordable and accessible to all.
  • Challenge Stereotypes: Actively confront period stigma and foster a culture of respect and understanding.
  • Support Organizations: Engage with and support organizations dedicated to ending menstrual stigma through volunteering or donations.

By working together, we can create an environment where menstruation is recognized as a normal, unashamed aspect of life, free from stigma and barriers. How will you contribute to fostering a period-positive world?

Menstraul Poverty,She derserves, Jackline Birungi. Together, we can build a future where no girl has to choose between her health and her education.

From Pain to Purpose: How Jackline Birungi’s She Deserves Uganda is Revolutionizing Menstrual Health for Girls

by with No Comment Advocacy

We are deeply grateful to The Anzisha Prize and Channel Africa for providing a platform to share the remarkable journey of our founder, Jackline Birungi. Their support has amplified the voice of She Deserves Uganda, bringing attention to a critical issue affecting countless young girls in Uganda.

Jackline’s journey into entrepreneurship began in a deeply personal way. At the tender age of 13, she encountered the challenges of menstruation, an experience that many girls in Uganda and across the world face with little to no support. While her aunt provided her with menstrual pads and painkillers, the support came with an unforeseen cost. Unaware of the harmful effects of prolonged painkiller use, Jackline continued to rely on them to manage her menstrual pain.

In 2022, Jackline’s world was shaken by a devastating diagnosis: she was suffering from severe heart complications, a direct consequence of years of indiscriminate painkiller use. The diagnosis led to a life-threatening operation, marking a turning point in her life. It was during this difficult period that the concept of She Deserves was born.

Together, we can build a future where no girl has to choose between her health and her education.

Jackline Birungi

With the support of a resolute team, Jackline launched She Deserves Uganda, a social enterprise dedicated to offering a safe and effective solution for girls facing severe menstrual pain. The mission was clear: to empower girls to pursue their education without the interruptions caused by debilitating menstrual pain. In Uganda, over 95% of school-going girls experience severe menstrual pain, with many turning to painkillers as a coping mechanism. Unfortunately, they remain unaware of the potential long-term health risks associated with this practice.

She Deserves Uganda is more than just an organization; it is a movement aimed at transforming the lives of young girls. By addressing severe menstrual pain, She Deserves ensures that girls can attend school regularly, participate fully in their education, and achieve their dreams. The impact of this work extends beyond individual health; it contributes to the broader goal of gender equality by ensuring that girls have the same opportunities as their male counterparts.

A special thanks to Nompumelelo Ngubeni, an award-winning journalist, news anchor, and communications professional, for conducting this interview and helping to amplify our story. Her dedication to researching and sharing impactful stories is truly inspiring, and her work has played a crucial role in bringing the challenges faced by young girls in Uganda to the forefront.

As She Deserves Uganda continues to grow, we remain committed to innovation, empowerment, and community change.

Hashtags: #SheDeserves #AnzishaPrize #ChannelAfrica #MenstrualHealth #SocialEntrepreneurship #Empowerment #Innovation #CommunityChange #Sustainability #JanguInternational #SINA #AfricanImpactInitiative

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Advocating for Tax Exemptions on Menstrual Products in Uganda

by with No Comment AdvocacyUncategorized

In a country like Uganda, where access to essential resources is often limited, the imposition of taxes on menstrual products is not just an economic issue but a matter of social justice. My name is Birungi Jackline, a 21-year-old Ugandan social entrepreneur and co-founder of She Deserves Uganda. If I don’t speak up about this, who will?

Uganda’s tax system has provisions for exemptions and zero-rating on certain products, primarily to stimulate economic growth, support specific sectors, or achieve social objectives like agricultural inputs. These policies are designed to uplift the economy and ensure that essential goods and services are accessible to all. However, when it comes to menstrual products, these essential items are treated as luxury goods, subject to taxation, which creates a significant barrier for many women and girls in our society.

Access to menstrual products should never be a privilege; it should be a basic right for all women and girls.

Jackline Birungi

Menstrual products are not a luxury; they are a necessity for the health and well-being of women and girls. Yet, by taxing these products, the government imposes an undue financial burden on menstruators, disproportionately affecting women and girls from low-income backgrounds. This practice is not just discriminatory; it constitutes economic violence against women. It forces many to resort to unhygienic alternatives like rags, leaves, or old newspapers, which can lead to serious health issues such as infections.

The economic barriers created by these taxes also have far-reaching effects on education and employment. Girls who cannot afford menstrual products often miss school during their periods, leading to absenteeism and, in some cases, dropping out altogether. This cycle perpetuates gender inequality, limiting opportunities for women and girls to achieve their full potential.

As a society, we must question why essential hygiene products are taxed while other items receive exemptions. The answer lies in systemic inequalities that undervalue the needs of women and girls. It is time for us to advocate for change and push for tax exemptions on menstrual products. By doing so, we can support the health and dignity of all women and girls, ensuring they have access to the products they need to manage their menstrual health safely and effectively.

This is not just a fight for economic justice; it is a fight for gender equality and empowerment. We must stand together to demand that our government recognizes the importance of menstrual health and takes the necessary steps to remove these unjust taxes. Only then can we create a society where women and girls are free from the economic barriers that hinder their access to essential health products.

Let us raise our voices and push for the change we want to see. Let’s advocate for tax exemptions on menstrual products to support the health and dignity of all women and girls. Together, we can make a difference.

MenstrualHealth #TaxExemptions #SheDeservesUganda #EconomicJustice #WomenEmpowerment