By: Kyeyune Ali._
Today, Wednesday 26th, October 2022, at Kololo Airstrip, the Uganda National Students Association (UNSA) organized an End of Year conference on keeping the girl child in school.
On the same occasion, renown singer, Phina Mugerwa ‘Masanyalaze’, dubbed the Ugandan Shakira, was also among the ‘teachers’ on the day invited to sensitize young girls to know how to use sanitary pads as a way of stopping school dropout.
Research shows that only ten percent (10%) of girl students can complete their academics in universities and tertiary institutions.
Therefore, students in different parts of the country have received donations of sanitary pads from prominent people, the likes of businessman, Mr Lwasa, Phina Mugerwa ‘Masanyalaze’ herself, among many others.
“I am advocating for patriotism towards the girl child in order to change the mindset of people that as musicians, we are not parents. We are like other mothers, though we inspire a large number of people in the country. Therefore, let me use this opportunity to send my message to students that good things are deserved by those who have worked for them,” Phina Mugerwa said.
She (Phina) also added that today’s men don’t want poor ladies and hence girl students should think about themselves.
In this regard, students were taught on how menstruation period should be managed, and to acknowledge that it is part of good health, since any normal lady should under go menstrual periods.
The students were also guided on how to use sanitary pads correctly in order to maintain good hygiene.
One of the students that were interviewed by the Voice of Bugerere reporter, by the names of Nalwanga Florence from Kisubi Mapeera SS, admitted that they face a lot of challenges, for example body changes like cramps in the stomach, back pains, and also lack of money to buy the sanitary pads during their ‘red zone’.
Phina Mugerwa ‘Masanyalaze’, who acts as the General Secretary of the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA), also emphasized that every girl child should not be embarrassed by the fact that they go through menstrual periods.