education 12 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Menstrual Stigma and Inadequate Facilities Disrupt Girls' Schooling in West Nile
In Uganda's West Nile region, girls face high absenteeism and dropouts due to poor school sanitation, menstrual stigma, and cultural pressures. Recent government projects with German funding are building facilities to help girls stay in school during periods. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/menstrual-stigma-poor-facilities-affect-girls-education-in-west-nile-5389660
Girls in West Nile’s rural schools often miss classes during menstruation because of insufficient latrines, lack of privacy, and peer stigma, leading to higher absenteeism and dropout rates.
At Tukaliri Primary School in Koboko District, over 440 girls once shared just six latrine stances, prompting many like 15-year-old pupil Harriet to skip school. A Primary Six student noted boys mocking girls who menstruate unexpectedly, adding to the embarrassment.
Head teachers and officials, including Koboko’s Assistant CAO Faith Mary Achieng, highlight how stigma, pregnancies, and child labor from tobacco farming worsen the issue. Girls are frequently pulled from school for chores like fetching water.
To combat this, Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment, backed by German KfW funding, upgraded facilities in four schools. Tukaliri now has separate latrines for girls with changing rooms and incinerators, while Awuvu Primary added 10 girl latrines, bathing stances, and incinerators.
St. John Dufile Primary in Moyo District also gained new latrines and bathing areas. Teachers like Beatrice Ajedra say these changes prevent alarming dropout numbers. The efforts tie into Shs15.3 billion water and sanitation projects in refugee districts.
Challenges persist, with schools like Boroli facing teacher shortages (nine for 1,311 pupils) and overcrowded desks, underscoring the need for ongoing improvements.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)