A girl with a voice
Gladys (14 years old) lives in Abim, a district in the northeast of Uganda. She was a very shy girl and didn’t like to speak up in class or in a group. She didn’t have many friends and felt lonely. When she started having her menstruation, she had to stay home every month for a few days, since her parents could not afford to buy sanitary pads.
Change started when she became a member of the children’s club at the Primary School. Together with other children, she talked about everything that concerns them. Slowly, Gladys also started to share her experiences. It turned out that more girls were facing monthly problems. It felt good to realize she was not the only one with this problem.
Making your own sanitary pads
Together with the other members of the club and the teacher, Gladys decided to do something about this. They learned how to make their own sanitary pads: a piece of cloth that you can stuff with cotton which grows there. You can then wash it and use it again. In the club, they informed the boys about menstruation, so they understood what it was and no longer bullied girls with it. And it worked!
The girls are no longer missing lessons because of this. Gladys finds the group so important that she now even talks about these topics on the radio to advocate for children’s rights. She now loves speaking out and encouraging other children to know and stand up for their rights. “I love speaking on the radio because it makes me feel like my voice matters”, Gladys says with a big smile. “I want all children to know that they have a right to be heard and should never be afraid to speak up.”
Gladys dreams of becoming a teacher one day so she can inspire and empower other children. She is grateful to the children’s club for giving her confidence, skills, and hope for a brighter future.
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