Preventable and treatable diseases present an enormous health burden for communities in the developing world; still causing immeasurable impacts on populations living in extreme poverty because they usually live in unhygienic conditions, have low-levels of health awareness, and fail to seek proper treatment. While primary healthcare is a basic human right, it is proven that a healthy population is essential for growth, development, and prosperity in every society. Improving health outcomes for all and bridging the gap in health equity requires a concerted effort among all major stakeholders. To do this effectively, KUWA uses a 360-degree community engagement model that maximizes the efforts of everyone involved.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND MENSTRUAL HYGIENE
Reproductive health is also a human right. All women have a health right to better menstrual hygiene management (MHM). Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is one of the most neglected topics both in reproductive health.
Reproductive health education is also important for adults and young people helping to raise awareness about puberty, menstruation, sexual violence, sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, family planning, and maternal health. It empowers women and men to make informed decisions about their bodies improve general health and wellbeing and overcoming inequality – it helps people to break the vicious cycles of poverty.
The poor reproductive health status is attributed to the following contributing factors;-
LACK OF EDUCATION
According to UNICEF, 1 in 10 school-aged African girls either skip school during menstruation or drop out entirely because of lack of hygiene solutions. A girl who is absent from school for 4 days each month loses 13 learning days, equivalent to 2 weeks of learning in every school term. A girl in primary school (3 years long) loses approximately 18 weeks out of 108 school weeks, while a girl in secondary school (4 years long) loses 156 learning days, equivalent to almost 24 weeks out of 144 weeks of school. This is a clear indication that our girl children are becoming school drop-outs while still in school. This absenteeism is the leading cause of poor academic performance and subsequent dropping out of school among girls.
POVERTY
Menstrual hygiene is clearly a neglected issue, yet it is a basic need of all women. The monthly expenditure for sanitary protection is about 2,500) analysis states that buying sanitary protection means a monthly spending equivalent of four radio batteries or enough paraffin to last a family one month. Where men most often control the household budget, how can girls succeed in getting sanitary materials on to the priority list? Where sanitary protection for one girl may cost around a tenth of a monthly family monthly income, how can a household afford this where there are 2 or 3 girls?
OUR APPROACH
Kirembe United Women works to ensure that adults and young people have access to adequate and accurate information about their bodies and body changes to be able to prevent unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, finish education and get out of the poverty trap:
We train in and out of school youth (at puberty), teachers, and the community (male and female of reproductive age) on legal, sexual and reproductive rights including menstrual hygiene management (MHM), spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS.
Working with local leaders and village health teams (VHTs) to challenge practices that may facilitate the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS.
Working with women and girls to locally produce and sell reusable sanitary pads, helping training girls and women to make cheaper reusable pads for their own use.
Conducting sanitary pad distribution actions (donated pads, locally made pads, donor-supported purchased pads).
Each year, we join the world to celebrate the 28th May as the Menstrual Hygiene Day and the Day of Action for Womens’s Health to break the silence and create awareness about the fundamental role that good menstrual hygiene management (MHM) plays in enabling women and girls to reach their full potential and advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Teaching girls and women soap-making skills (soap is obviously essential not only when reusable sanitary pads are used, but for entire personal hygiene practices).
Establishing child friendly sanitation facilities in schools (toilets, washrooms, emergency kits, uniforms, pads, knickers, etc).