United Nations Children’s Fund or UNICEF on Friday launched menstrual hygiene management and sanitary pads for girls project in Eastern Equatoria State.
UNICEF Chief of Education Phuong Nguyen said 36 percent of girls in the country enrol at school and that most drop out as they reach menstruation age, Emmanuel Radio reported.
She added that many girls miss school for four days in a month due to menstruation seen as taboo.
The education chief told masses that menstruation is a natural process and girls need to be sensitized and supported on managing it.
Ms Nguyen said they aim at improving girls’ enrolment in school and retaining them to complete University education.
SNV Sector Director Dr. Fugai Makoni says the project launch follows a survey revealing several issues including unavailability of sanitary pads, knowledge on management of menstruation and cultural norms affecting girls during menstruation.
About 1500 school girls are targeted to benefit from the project in Eastern Equatoria State.