The government has pledged to improve access to clean water, sanitation, and menstrual hygiene facilities in schools across the country in a bid to curb dropouts and keep girls in education.
The pledge was made by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Ms. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, alongside the Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Dr. Mercy Faith Lakisa. The leaders were speaking during the national commemoration of the Day of the African Child held at Nawansaso Primary School in Kamuli District on Monday.
The national celebrations, held under the theme ‘Ensuring universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene for every child in Uganda,’ had been postponed from its original June 16 date following an Ebola outbreak in the region.
The event followed a Children’s Parliament organized by Plan International at the Kamuli District headquarters. During the sitting, young learners presented a comprehensive position paper detailing the pressing challenges affecting their welfare and education.
Annet Blessing Kyomunda, a Primary Four pupil from Kinaitakali Primary School who served as the chief guest representing her peers, urged the government to equip schools with adequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities. Kyomunda emphasized the need for designated safe spaces where girls can privately change and dispose of sanitary pads.
“When we have access to clean water, safe sanitation facilities and proper hygiene, we become healthier, safer and better able to learn and achieve our dreams,” Kyomunda told the congregation.
In her address, Kyomunda also advocated for practical hands-on training to enable learners to make reusable sanitary pads, stricter enforcement of laws against open defecation, and enhanced positive parenting through open communication, guidance, and counseling.
The young parliamentarians further raised critical concerns surrounding widespread child labor, rising teenage pregnancies, forced early marriages, inadequate school feeding programs, and persistent negative social norms that force children out of the classroom. In a poignant moment during their presentations, the learners questioned why the government readily provides free condoms to the public while free sanitary pads for schoolgirls remain unprioritized.
Responding to the children’s demands, Dr. Lakisa assured the gathering that the government is actively reinforcing measures to safeguard child rights nationwide. She highlighted ongoing policy interventions, including the implementation of the National Safeguarding Guidelines for Children and the Children Participation Guidelines.
“We are here to be your voice. Your issues, concerns, and advocacy will be addressed, especially with the girl child champion, Mama Kadaga, here for you,” Dr. Lakisa said.
On her part, Ms. Kadaga reaffirmed her personal commitment to championing the welfare of the African child, promising to lobby for free sanitary pads, safe changing facilities, and aggressive protection against defilement, forced marriages, and child exploitation.
“My commitment to children is total and unconditional,” Ms. Kadaga stated. “We shall follow up your concerns, work with development partners, and ensure your rights are protected so that you can enroll, stay, and complete school.”