UNFPA and Diamond Trust Bank Partner to Empower Girls in West Nile with Menstrual Health Initiative

In a concerted effort to combat school absenteeism and promote menstrual health management, UNFPA and Diamond Trust Bank are distributing reusable sanitary pads to vulnerable schoolgirls in Moyo District, West Nile, as part of the #AchieveMoreGirl initiative.

The #AchieveMoreGirl initiative, a component of DTB’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, directly supports UNFPA’s Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment (SAY) Programme. By providing reusable sanitary pads and life-skills education, the partnership seeks to empower girls to manage their menstrual health with dignity and continue their education without interruption.

“The distribution of these reusable sanitary pads is more than just providing a product; it’s about restoring dignity and ensuring girls can attend school consistently,” says Alex Chono, Delivery and Coordination Programme Specialist from UNFPA. “This partnership with Diamond Trust Bank is crucial in ensuring these girls have the resources and knowledge they need to thrive.” DTB has provided a second consignment of reusable sanitary pads for distribution to vulnerable schoolgirls in Moyo and Obongi districts. The initiative not only provides the girls with necessary supplies but also creates a platform for open discussions about menstrual health.

“Diamond Trust Bank is proud to partner with UNFPA in this impactful initiative,,” said Mbabazi Emejeit, DTB’s Executive Director. “We believe that every girl deserves the opportunity to pursue her education without interruption. By providing these sanitary pads, we are removing a significant barrier to their academic success.”

Under this initiative, DTB has committed $106,458 to benefit 10,000 schoolgirls by providing comprehensive reusable sanitary kits. Each kit contains five reusable sanitary pads, two pairs of underwear, a backpack, and an educational booklet in three languages. Designed to last up to two years, these kits offer a sustainable solution to menstrual hygiene challenges and aim to reduce the alarming rate of menstrual-related school dropouts that affect over 1.2 million girls nationwide.