18 Aug
Advocacy, Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Shared Action Africa Supports Youth with Disabilities in Menstrual Hygiene.

Shared Action Africa Empowers Youths with Disabilities in Menstrual Hygiene Management in Rubondo Refugee Settlement.

In Rubondo Village, Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, Uganda, a major advancement in inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) has been made as Shared Action Africa expands its menstrual hygiene services to refugee youths with disabilities, equipping them with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to manage menstruation with dignity. This initiative addresses the urgent needs of young people with disabilities, who remain among the most marginalized groups in refugee communities and often face barriers that hinder their social participation.

Through focused training sessions, Shared Action Africa instructs youths not only on proper menstrual hygiene practices but also on integrating smoothly into community life during menstruation and in everyday activities. Oyera Shiba, Assistant Sexual and Reproductive Health Officer at Shared Action Africa, emphasized the organization’s approach: “As Shared Action Africa, we are empowering dignity through action. We distribute sanitary pads to people living with disabilities in Rubondo while supporting caregivers with knowledge and awareness on how to help their children and relatives manage menstruation effectively.”

For many young women involved, menstruation had long been a source of isolation, shame, and anxiety. Participants recounted the emotional and social difficulties they faced prior to the intervention. “We were often isolated in our communities because of our nature. This made us hate ourselves and avoid interacting with our peers, fearing ridicule and exclusion,” said one participant. Limited access to sanitary products compounded these challenges, as many could not afford disposable pads due to unemployment or physical limitations, leaving them exposed to discomfort, health risks, and stigma.

Before Shared Action Africa’s program, girls with disabilities frequently experienced menstrual leakage in public spaces, increasing feelings of embarrassment and exclusion. “During our menstrual days, we couldn’t clean ourselves properly because of our conditions. Sometimes, our periods would drop, and we feared going out into the community,” one participant explained. This lack of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) support prevented many from fully participating in social, educational, and recreational activities.

Since the initiative’s inception, the situation has changed dramatically. The organization provides comprehensive guidance on personal hygiene, safe use of disposable pads, and strategies to navigate community life during menstruation. Caregivers also receive specialized training, reinforcing hygienic practices and offering support at home.

The impact on the youths has been significant. Many report restored confidence and improved relationships within their communities. “After Shared Action Africa’s training, we feel like we’ve regained our rights. People no longer laugh at us; instead, they help and support us during our periods. We associate normally with others, and there are no negative impacts on our daily life in the community,” shared one young woman.

Providing free disposable sanitary pads has been a critical aspect of the program. For youths unable to purchase menstrual products, this support has reduced financial stress and ensured consistent hygiene management. Participants expressed gratitude, noting that the pads help prevent infections and preserve dignity.

Additionally, the program has raised awareness across the broader community. By educating youths and caregivers, Shared Action Africa fosters understanding and empathy. Community members now provide assistance during menstruation and advocate for inclusive practices accommodating people with disabilities.

“This program has not only addressed the practical needs of menstrual hygiene but has also restored confidence, self-esteem, and social inclusion for youths with disabilities,” Shiba added. “It is a demonstration of how inclusive approaches in SRHR can transform lives, promote dignity, and strengthen community cohesion.”

Shared Action Africa continues to champion the rights of marginalized populations, including refugees and persons with disabilities, ensuring equitable access to essential SRHR services. Their commitment to empowering dignity through action reflects a vision of inclusive development in which every young person can participate fully in their communities, regardless of physical or social barriers.

Through these programs, young women in Rubondo Refugee Settlement are reclaiming their agency, managing menstruation with dignity, and experiencing renewed belonging in their communities. Their stories illustrate the transformative impact of compassionate, inclusive interventions in fostering both personal empowerment and social cohesion.

18 Aug
Advocacy, Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Shared Action Africa Expands SRHR Services for People with Disabilities in Refugee Settlements

Shared Action Africa Expands SRHR Services to People with Disabilities in Nakivale and Oruchinga Refugee Settlements.

Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee settlements in Isingiro District, Uganda, have become critical hubs for humanitarian support, hosting refugees who have fled conflict and instability in their home countries. Among these populations, people living with disabilities face significant barriers to accessing essential health and social services. Recognizing this gap, Shared Action Africa, a leading humanitarian and development organization, has intensified efforts to ensure that Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services are accessible to all, including individuals with physical disabilities.

Atamba Kobuhwezi, a midwife with Shared Action Africa stationed at Oruchinga Refugee Settlement, explained that the organization recently conducted an SRHR session focused on the inclusion of people with disabilities in health service utilization. She noted, “This was an SRHR session on how we can include people with disabilities in the utilization of SRHR services. We encouraged the youth to also join the groups of people with disabilities, as the older generation is already doing.”

During the session, participants outlined the daily challenges they face, including the inability to afford treatment, frequent stockouts of essential medications, and limited access to appropriate mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walking sticks. “They requested support, including a camp specifically for people with disabilities, staffed with specialists and equipped with medicines, scans, and mobility aids,” Kobuhwezi added. The session took place in Kisoro Village within the Oruchinga settlement, highlighting Shared Action Africa’s grassroots approach to understanding and responding to local needs.

A key recommendation from the organization was the establishment of unified groups for people with disabilities. By organizing collectively, beneficiaries can ensure that assistance is distributed efficiently and reaches those most in need. “We encouraged them to have a group as one for people with disabilities so that once any help comes in, they can be supported immediately,” Kobuhwezi explained. This initiative aligns with Shared Action Africa’s broader mission to enhance the inclusion of marginalized communities in essential health services.

In addition to forming groups, the organization emphasized leveraging community-based structures such as Village Health Teams (VHTs) and peer educators. These networks facilitate access to healthcare facilities closer to beneficiaries’ homes, mitigating barriers related to distance, cost, and mobility challenges. “We encouraged them to use the VHTs and peer educators to easily access treatment from nearby facilities,” Kobuhwezi added.

Shared Action Africa’s interventions underscore the recognition that refugee populations are not homogenous, and different subgroups require tailored approaches. For people with disabilities, the combined challenges of displacement, physical limitations, and lack of specialized services can significantly hinder their quality of life. By providing SRHR education and facilitating access to medical care and mobility aids, the organization is addressing a critical gap in humanitarian programming.

Looking ahead, Shared Action Africa aims to extend its SRHR services to even more people with disabilities across both Nakivale and Oruchinga settlements. These initiatives are vital for promoting equity in healthcare and ensuring that no refugee is left behind due to physical limitations or socio-economic constraints.

The SRHR sessions have also sparked community-level advocacy. By encouraging youth participation in supporting people with disabilities, Shared Action Africa is fostering intergenerational solidarity, building sustainable care systems, and raising awareness about the unique needs of people with disabilities within refugee populations.

Through these efforts, Shared Action Africa is advancing a broader commitment to human rights, inclusion, and comprehensive healthcare. By addressing gaps in SRHR service delivery and promoting specialized support structures, the organization is setting a benchmark for inclusive refugee health programs. The experiences from Nakivale and Oruchinga settlements offer valuable lessons that could inform humanitarian initiatives in other contexts, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not overlooked in health and development efforts.

As Shared Action Africa continues to expand its services, the organization’s vision is clear: to empower people with disabilities within refugee settlements, providing equitable access to healthcare, mobility aids, and supportive community networks. Through sustained engagement and tailored interventions, Shared Action Africa is redefining inclusive healthcare in Uganda’s refugee settlements.

 

16 Jul
Advocacy

Shared Action Africa Brings Menstrual Hygiene Support to Refugee Schoolgirls..

Shared Action Africa Champions Menstrual Hygiene in Schools: A Lifeline for Girls in Oruchinga Refugee Settlement.

Menstrual hygiene in schools is critical for the health, dignity, and academic success of female students—especially in refugee communities where access to resources is limited. In Uganda’s Oruchinga Refugee Settlement, Shared Action Africa has taken the lead in promoting menstrual health by training girls and launching the use of menstrual cups and supplied sanitary pads at Visionary Blue School.

This initiative has brought about life-changing benefits for the girls and the entire school community. Below are some of the key uses and importance of menstrual hygiene made possible through Shared Action Africa’s intervention:

  1. Reduces School Absenteeism

Before this intervention, many girls missed school during their periods due to lack of menstrual products and safe spaces. Shared Action Africa’s provision of menstrual cups and hygiene training has enabled girls to stay in class, improving attendance and performance.

“I used to stay home during my period,” said one student. “Now I can come to school every day without fear.”

  1. Promotes Girls’ Health and Prevents Infections

By teaching girls’ proper hygiene practices and how to safely use menstrual cups, Shared Action Africa has helped prevent infections such as UTIs and RTIs. Clean water, soap, and access to sanitation facilities now play a greater role in girls’ well-being at school.

  1. Boosts Confidence and Participation

Girls who once felt embarrassed or insecure now feel clean and confident. With stigma being addressed openly, students are more comfortable participating in class and interacting with peers.

  1. Encourages Gender Equality

Importantly, the program involved training boys, helping them understand menstruation and respect their female classmates. This has helped reduce teasing and built a more supportive environment for all students.

  1. Enhances Retention and Reduces Dropout Rates

Thanks to Shared Action Africa’s efforts, girls who were at risk of dropping out due to period-related challenges are now staying in school—and thriving. The training has turned menstruation from a barrier into something manageable.

  1. Builds Lifelong Hygiene and Health Habits

Through education sessions, girls have learned how to maintain proper hygiene throughout their menstrual cycle, a habit that will benefit them long into adulthood.

  1. Creates a Supportive Learning Environment

Shared Action Africa’s presence at Visionary Blue School has also inspired teachers and school leaders to support menstrual health. Girls now have trusted adults they can approach with questions and concerns.

In refugee settings like Oruchinga, where girls are often most vulnerable, Shared Action Africa’s menstrual hygiene program is not just about hygiene—it’s about dignity, empowerment, and opportunity.

“They didn’t just teach us how to manage our periods,” said one student. “They gave us back our confidence.”

 

 

16 Jul
Advocacy

How Menstrual Health Education Empowered a Future Lawyer.

“Training Changed Everything for Me” — Oliva’s Journey to Confidence and Justice.

Nyirakamana Oliva, a 16-year-old refugee from Rwanda, is a Primary Seven pupil at Visionary Blue School in Oruchinga Refugee Settlement, Uganda. Her dream is to become a lawyer, one who will fight for women’s rights, especially single mothers who are left to raise children alone after fathers abandon their responsibilities.

“I want to bring justice to women who are voiceless,” Oliva says. “Many single mothers suffer silently. They carry the burden of raising children alone, while the fathers disappear. As a lawyer, I want to fight for them. “She said.

But until recently, Oliva faced challenges that nearly pushed her away from school, particularly during her menstrual periods.

“Before the training, boys used to laugh at us when we stained our uniforms. It was embarrassing,” she explains. “I felt unsafe and ashamed every time my period started. Sometimes, I didn’t want to come to school. “Olivia said.

That changed when Shared Action Africa conducted a school hygiene outreach at Visionary Blue School. Health workers led training sessions for girls on personal hygiene, menstrual health, and self-care. Importantly, boys were also included and that made all the difference.

“After the training, everything changed. The boys came to us and apologized. They told us they didn’t understand what we were going through before. Now, they even support us. If someone sees a girl has stained, he will quietly help her—not laugh,” Oliva shares with a smile.

Through the training, Oliva also learned about staying clean and protecting herself from infections during menstruation.

“I now know how to protect myself from STIs and other infections. I keep myself clean, and I feel confident,” she says. “I am not afraid of school anymore.” She spoke.

Oliva believes that the program came at the right time and saved her from dropping out.

“Shared Action Africa has solved problems that were pushing me away from school. Now I’m focused on my dream of becoming a lawyer,” she says proudly. “Their words of wisdom have opened a clear path for my future. I thank Shared Action Africa for helping us. They didn’t just teach us hygiene they gave us back our confidence.” She spoke.

 

16 Jul
Advocacy

How Menstrual Health Support Helped Nahweera Stay in School

“Now I Can Learn with Confidence” — Nahweera Ruth Shares Her Journey to Menstrual Dignity.

Nahweera Ruth, a 15-year-old refugee and Primary Seven candidate at Visionary Blue School in Oruchinga Refugee Settlement, dreams of becoming a doctor one day. Her ambition is fuelled by a desire to save the lives of mothers, many of whom, she believes, die during childbirth, particularly in conflict-affected regions like the one she calls home.

During a school outreach on hygiene conducted by Shared Action Africa, where girls received training on personal hygiene and menstrual health, Nahweera privately shared the challenges she faced before the program reached her school.

Having lived the realities of period poverty, Nahweera understands all too well the silent struggles many refugee girls endure during menstruation. In a candid conversation, she recounted her experience:

“Before Shared Action Africa came to our school, my monthly periods were the hardest time of the month,” she said softly. “I felt alone, ashamed, and afraid. Sanitary pads were too expensive for my parents. I often had to use old pieces of cloth, tissue, or even leaves. They were uncomfortable and would leak. I couldn’t concentrate in class because I was always worried something would happen. Our school didn’t have proper toilets or even water most of the time. There was nowhere clean or private to change. I would wear the same cloth all day, even when it was soaked. I felt dirty and stressed. I missed many school days because I had no pads and no safe place to manage my periods. I would stay home and fall behind in class. I love school, but every month I felt like giving up. At school, you fear standing up in class. If you stain your uniform, boys laugh, girls whisper, it’s like you’ve done something wrong just because you’re menstruating. I used to hide from my friends during my period. When I first got my period, I didn’t even know what it was. I thought I was sick. I cried. My mother tried to explain, but she didn’t know much either. We were never taught about it in school. And there was no one to talk to. no counsellor, no understanding teachers. I felt like I had to face it all alone. “She said.

Everything changed when Shared Action Africa launched its menstrual health and hygiene program at her school.

“The health workers taught us everything—how to manage our periods, how to use a menstrual cup, how to stay clean, and how to support each other as girls. They even talked to the boys and taught them to respect us, not to laugh or mock. For the first time, I felt safe and understood. The menstrual cup has changed my life. I no longer worry every month about buying pads. I’m not afraid to come to school. I feel clean, confident, and ready to learn.” Ruth said.

With a bright smile, Nahweera added:

“I want to thank Shared Action Africa for remembering girls like me. Because of them, we now have hope, dignity, and the chance to stay in school. “She said.

This is a story of transformation, not just for Nahweera, but for many girls in Oruchinga and other refugee settlements who are finally being given the tools, knowledge, and confidence to thrive.

l and thrive.

16 Jul
Advocacy

Empowering Refugee Girls: Menstrual Cups Introduced at Visionary Blue School

Promoting Menstrual Health in Refugee Communities: Shared Action Africa Introduces Menstrual Cups at Visionary Blue School.

During the launch of the menstrual cup and the distribution of sanitary pads by Shared Action Africa at Visionary Blue School in Oruchinga Refugee Settlement, Shared Action Africa health workers engaged both boys and girls in vital discussions on personal hygiene and sexual and reproductive health.

The sessions aimed to build awareness and confidence among students. Boys were sensitised on how to treat girls with respect, particularly during menstruation, while girls were guided on proper hygiene management and encouraged to feel confident during their periods. In addition to distributing sanitary pads, the team introduced the menstrual cup—a sustainable and reusable innovation in menstrual hygiene.

Shared Action Africa Health workers demonstrated the correct use of the menstrual cup and encouraged girls to share their experiences and challenges with menstrual health at school.

Owomugisha Novence, a 15-year-old pupil in Primary Seven at Visionary Blue School and a refugee from Rwanda, shared her personal struggles:

“It has been difficult for me to afford sanitary pads. Sometimes my parents can’t even pay my school fees, let alone buy me three packets of pads, which cost UGX 5,000 each. I use two packets every month. So, whenever I got my period, I would stay home and miss school. Sometimes, I would improvise with old pieces of cloth, but changing them at school was difficult. There was no proper place to dispose of them and replace with clean ones. Carrying extra cloths in my bag was embarrassing in front of classmates. They often weren’t clean or secure, and I didn’t feel comfortable. I couldn’t play or interact freely with friends because I was afraid the cloth might fall out, which was very shameful. Now, we see hope for the future. Shared Action Africa introduced us to the menstrual cup, which can be used for more than a year. We’ve learned how to use it properly, and it will help us save the money we used to spend on pads. We won’t miss school anymore because of our periods. We’ll feel free and confident to engage with others at school. We truly appreciate Shared Action Africa for the great work they are doing to support girls.”

Through initiatives like this, Shared Action Africa continues to promote dignity, education, and health for adolescent girls in refugee communities—helping them stay in school and thrive.

16 Mar
Advocacy, Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Promoting Menstrual Health & Hygiene

Savings Groups Promote Menstrual Health

Adolescent girls and young people have come together to promote their menstrual health and hygiene, which is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health care challenges faced by women of reproductive age in the refugee and host communities in Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee settlements. It is for this reason that Shared Action Africa supported 30 adolescent girls and young women to form a savings and lending group that they named “Oruchinga Youth Protection Group”, with a membership of 25 girls and 7 boys.

The group was initially formed as a savings and lending group to help members pool their meagre savings on a weekly basis, but also as forum through which members would be provided sexual and reproductive health counselling and services. It is through subsequent meetings, where members noticed consistent absenteeism by female members around the same period every month, that the leadership decided to find out from their members why they were not attending group meetings on a regular basis.

It was then revealed by members that lack of access to sanitary pads during menstruation hindered them from joining group activities, and it is for this reason that they jointly decided to seek training on how to produce handmade sanitary pads.

To support their efforts, Shared Action Africa provided them UGX 150,000 which they used to buy some materials that they are using both during training, as well as in the production of reusable sanitary pads for their own personal use and for close family members.

“The sanitary making group activity has not only strengthened the social connectedness of members, but it has improved the menstrual hygiene and health of members. This is because we not only meet to save and lend out to each other, we also meet to receive education on how to promote personal hygiene during menstruation. We are working hard to improve our skills in the making of sanitary pads so that we can grow beyond making sanitary pads for our own use into turning it into an income generating activity for both individual members as we as for the groups.

We are grateful for the support provided to by Shared Action Africa and African Women’s Development Fund. We plan to share this knowledge with other youth led groups so that they can also have a group activity that does not help them bond, but also addresses their menstrual health because we also believe young people are the best agents and drivers of change amongst their peers, and the community they live in.”

16 Mar
Advocacy, Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Krematic’s Story

KREMATIC’S STORY | Surviving and Healing from Sexual Assault & Trauma

Krematic a 23-year-old survivor of rape is rebuilding her life through the psychosocial that she is receiving through the Youth SRHR Friendly space created at the Rubondo HCIII facility in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in southwestern Uganda. At the age of 18, Kremestic, a Congolese refugee was sexually assaulted at age of 18 as she returned from school. At the time, she did not know how to access information and support to take the steps taken to immediately following a sexual assault. For instance, to get the care she needed to prevent unwanted pregnancy, and never found justice for the crime committed against her. Consequently, at the age of 23 she is still picking up the pieces after this traumatic experience that happened 5 years ago. She was banished from her home by her parents due to the stigma associated with raising a single mother coupled with the burden of caring for an additional person in an already resource constrained environment.

The sexual assault impacted my lives in so many ways that I struggling to recover from. I was chased from my home, and I had to find shelter for myself and my child. I was not ready to become a mother and had no support. I was interested in pursuing an education with the hope of improving our lives as family, because it is very hard to survive as refugees in another country. I struggled to find employment and take care of my child at the same time. It is not until I heard about the Shared Action Africa and the programs, they were implementing in my village that I got interested on how I participate to help with my personal healing, and also help others that might be going through the same struggles recover and start a support group that will help us bond around specific activities that we could do together like starting joint income generating activities or forming a savings and lending groups from which we would access small loans to meet our financial needs.

After receiving training from Shared Action Africa on various topics related to adolescent sexual and reproductive care, and learned about how to prevent unwanted pregnancies through emergency contraception, prevention of STIs, particularly HIV through Prep, menstrual hygiene among other topics, I was motivated to serve in the capacity of Peer Educator and Advocacy Champion. Serving in the capacity of advocacy Champion, I am part of Youth SRHR Collective, that brings together 170 other adolescent girls to advocate for spaces to be created at some health facilities so that the young people like myself can access sexual and reproductive health care in a safe environment. Also, through the knowledge acquired through attending group meetings where we are sensitized by our rights to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the services available at the health facilities, I not only counsel my peers on the same subjects, but I more empowered to make informed decisions, in case I encounter the same situation as I did five years.

In addition to being part of team of committed young people making a difference in our community, I am also earning a monthly stipend from providing SRHR related services to my peers. Similarly, through training provided by Shared Action Africa, I joined a savings and lending group through which I can access some small loans, whenever I have a financial need.

I am particularly happy with the reflective community dialogues conducted for adolescents together with their parents to discuss subjects related to sexuality, a subject that is culturally never discussed by parents with their children. I am very supportive of this activity because if my parents had an opportunity to participate in the same, I would probably be living with my parents now. Such programs are important to change the mindsets of our communities about allowing adolescents and young people to access sexual and reproductive health care to improve our lives.
I would like to urge Shared Action Africa to bring us vocational training programs for single mothers like me so that we can get a second chance in life.

Thank you, SAA, for changing our lives and my community.

19 Mar
Advocacy, Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Amplifying Young Women’s Voices

Amplifying Young Women’s Voices | Reproductive Justice

On International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2022, Shared Action Africa, celebrates the young women and men at the forefront of advocating for increased access SRHR services that are tailored to the unique needs of adolescents and young women. The ongoing campaign is supported under our advocacy initiative known as Arise for Reproductive Justice for Refugee Girls in Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee settlements and host communities in southwestern Uganda.  The advocacy efforts are aimed at influencing the creation of youth-friendly corners at the health facilities where adolescents and young people can access SRHR services without fear of reprisal by their communities. Access to youth-friendly SRHR services among others is aimed at preventing the occurrences of early and teenage pregnancies among young people like 17-year-old Berita Byukusenge.

Beritah a refugee from Rwanda with her 9-month-year-old baby in Kiretwa village

Beritah, like many young girls, became pregnant during the prolonged school lockdown of over 14 months to curb the spread of the COVID-19 disease. Due to lack of access to information about reproductive health, peer pressure, and the need to access basic needs such as food, clothes that could not be provided by her immigrant parents from Rwanda, she fell under the influence of a married man. She got pregnant and her relationship with the married man deteriorated and was characterized by emotional and physical abuse, Simultaneously, Benita was expelled from her home by her parents and sought refuge with an older woman in another village. In exchange for a roof over her head, Benita is working in the old woman’s banana plantation. Benita’s experience could have been different if she had had access to a safe place or environment where the youth can access information on sexual and reproductive health.

“I became pregnant because I lacked knowledge on sexual and reproductive health care. If only I had access to someone I trusted to talk to as well as a safe place where I could access information without shame and fear of ostracization from my community. My situation would have been different because as a teenage mother, I not only have to take care of myself, I also have to provide a home to my nine-month-old baby. To earn a living, I work in the banana plantation of an elderly woman in our village. If only I had information on contraceptive use, I would not be a statistic of early and unwanted pregnancy. One uninformed decision has forever changed my life.”

Beritah with her baby in the banana plantation where she works to earn a living.

To reduce, the high incidences of teenage/adolescent pregnancies among refugee adolescents, which is at 8.7% according to Makerere College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Shared Action Africa is working towards a shift in practice, behavior change, and policy implementation towards increasing access and utilization of SRH services for girls like Beritah.  To this end, a Youth Collective for SRHR was created to partner with others and advocate with others for youth-friendly spaces for SRHR to be established at all health facilities in Nakivale Refugee Settlements. Similarly, the project identified and trained Peer Educators whose role is to mobilize and educate their peers to foster positive behavior change geared towards increased utilization of sexual and reproductive health services that are tailored for adolescents and young people. Young people such as Benita and others like her, are not only willing to share their stories but also serve as change agents within their communities to influence behavior among their peers to utilized youth-specialized SRHR services. And it is for this reason that we celebrate them this International Women’s Day.