Wezesha Vijana Program Active in Uganda

In September, Asante Africa Foundation conducted a training session that covered topics on menstrual hygiene, self-awareness and management, adolescent sexual reproductive health information, and HIV/STI information. 40 young adults, boys and girls participated in the session. The training was facilitated by a social development worker and a medical professional. Also, present during the training sessions were mentors and district representatives.

Many of the girls that attended the session were leaders of their community adolescent empowerment groups. The groups, consisting of 6 to 10 girls, serve as a place for the girls to meet regularly and discuss and share issues.

At the session, adolescent girls were given information on health barriers that could hinder their education. They were also advised on personal hygiene and taught that menstruation was a natural and normal part of their biology and nothing to be shy about. All the girls pledged to spread their new found knowledge to their friends and family. Group leaders were charged with sharing their understanding of menstruation to their small groups. Each girl also received a book on Understanding and Managing Menstruation from the facilitators to share and learn with their community group.