A piece of fabric becomes a taboo breaker

In Uganda, many girls still miss important school days today. The reason for this is as tragic as it is simple: a crucial piece of cloth is missing.

Today, lessons are taking place outside. Not because the sky is particularly blue or the teachers are looking for a change, but for the simple reason that the school building is already full to bursting. In the dusty schoolyard, the pupils of a Ugandan secondary school are crowded around simple wooden tables. And for once, there are no pens, exercise books and sheets of paper on the tables in front of them. Today, the teaching utensils have been swapped for scissors, colorful fabrics and patterns. Instead of cramming algebra, today they are sewing something very valuable: cloth binding.

Cloth bandage made by Ugandan pupils
The cloth bandages are not only sewn by the girls. The boys also lend a hand.

A solution with a sure instinct

In Uganda, there is one main reason why girls miss school more often than boys: menstruation. In the absence of suitable menstrual products, many girls do not attend school during their period due to shame, discomfort or hygiene reasons. This is because menstrual products - whether made of cloth or the disposable variety - are expensive and too many girls and women still cannot afford them.

"It's important that we men know about the subject - that's how we become better husbands and fathers."

Together with the local partner organization, ena has now found a creative solution to the problem - with positive side effects: In class, the pupils learn how to sew reusable cloth sanitary towels themselves; the girls receive these and no longer have to wait at home. And the side effects? The children pass on what they have learned and some can earn money with it. The shame and taboo surrounding the topic of menstruation is gradually disappearing. A simple idea that promotes education, generates income and breaks taboos.

From taboo to object of celebration

The joy in the schoolyard is palpable. A freshly sewn cloth sanitary napkin is proudly presented by the teacher and the pupils applaud. A significant moment in a culture where menstruation is often associated with taboos. Jumah Patrick Wangira, head of ena's partner organization, explains: "It is important that we men also know about this topic - so we can become better husbands and fathers."

A project with a future

Misika Risbar, a 15-year-old pupil, is one of the many who benefit from this project. She is grateful for the sewing lessons and ena's education project: "Before, I couldn't go to school because my parents couldn't afford it." Thanks to the income opportunities that ena has created for her family, Misika can now go to school every day. This opportunity means a lot to her and she makes the most of it: "There are about 200 pupils in our class, it's often very noisy. I always try to sit as far forward as possible so that I can hear everything." Misika has big plans: "My dream is to become a midwife in the capital Kampala." As she now misses fewer days of school thanks to her homemade cloth pads, she is a significant step (cloth) closer to her dream.

Uganda: A schoolgirl sews a cloth bandage.
Pupils benefit from the cloth pads in two ways: the topic of menstruation is made less taboo and the practical pads can be used by the girls themselves.