HIV/AIDS & Reproductive Health
Source: allAfrica
A group of 37 non-government organisations dealing in the promotion of girl-child rights have asked President Museveni to honour his campaign pledge and deliver the sanitary pads he promised during the presidential campaigns early this year.
Addressing journalists yesterday, Elliot Orizaarwa Tumwijukye, the executive director Women and Girl Child Development Association (WEGCDA), said since the President was re-elected in February, he should deliver the free sanitary pads he promised so that they can be distributed to the needy girls across the country.
"Some girls remain home for a week simply because they are in their periods and cannot afford pads," she said, adding that this makes them miss a lot.
Asked what has happened to the pledge, Mr Richard Todwong, the NRM deputy secretary general, said they are aware of the pledge and President Museveni has already met Ministry of Health officials to devise means of how the sanitary pads can be delivered.
"President Museveni has already issued a directive to the Ministry of Health to work out modalities of delivering the sanitary pads," he said.
Asked how far they have gone with the directive, Dr Asuman Lukwago, the ministry permanent secretary, denied receiving the directive but said that when they do, they will set out modalities of how to deliver them.
"I haven't seen that directive, if it is there and we receive it, we shall look at it and the logistics involved but as of now, we do not have any directive," he said yesterday on phone.
On Monday, the 37 NGOs held a press briefing to announce the upcoming International Day of the girlchild at the Uganda Museum to discuss the challenges affecting adolescent girl-children across the country and find solutions.
According to the executive director Institute for Social Transformation Rita Atukwasa , this year's conference will provide a platform for several people to share ideas on the challenges facing adolescent children and how best they can be addressed.
Main target
According to the executive director Institute for Social Transformation Rita Atukwasa , this year's conference will provide a platform for several people to share ideas on the challenges facing adolescent children and how best they can be addressed.