Menstrual hygiene is often discussed in the context of underserved or rural communities, but middle-class women also face significant challenges—particularly in the safe and dignified disposal of menstrual products.
Many public toilets and workplaces lack proper disposal facilities, forcing women to carry used sanitary pads until they find a suitable place to discard them. This issue is even more pronounced in apartment buildings, where bi-weekly waste collection can lead to hygiene concerns and loss of dignity due to the accumulation of menstrual waste.
Ensuring proper menstrual hygiene for middle-class women is not just about convenience—it is about rights, dignity, and inclusion. Instead of assuming who needs support, systems must be built to accommodate the diverse needs of menstruators.
A UNICEF and WHO report highlights the global gap in menstrual waste disposal, revealing that only 31% of schools worldwide provide bins for menstrual waste in girls’ toilets. The situation is even worse in least developed countries, where only 17% of schools offer such facilities. In sub-Saharan Africa, the numbers drop further, with just 11% of schools providing proper disposal options.
As a signatory to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Maputo Protocol, Uganda must turn its global commitments into localized actions, starting with dignified menstrual waste disposal systems for all. SDG 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation, specifically calls for equitable hygiene solutions, including menstrual hygiene.
Studies show that inadequate disposal options often force women to carry used pads or resort to unsafe disposal methods, such as flushing them down toilets or open dumping. Addressing this issue is critical to ensuring menstrual dignity for all women, regardless of their economic status.
Menstrual dignity should be a universal right, not a privilege reserved for a few. Regardless of whether one lives in a rural village or an urban apartment, every individual deserves safe and private disposal of menstrual products. Menstrual waste management is a matter of justice.
To enhance menstrual hygiene management in schools and public spaces, a UNICEF and WHO report recommends several interventions, with the provision of menstrual waste bins being the most affordable and effective solution.
Uganda has pledged to improve menstrual health through the Menstrual Hygiene Management Charter and WASH in schools guidelines. However, without proper enforcement and accountability, these commitments remain under-implemented.
The absence of disposal bins in both public and private institutions highlights a gap between policy and practice. Schools must ensure that all girls’ toilets are equipped with covered disposal bins to facilitate safe and hygienic disposal of menstrual products.
This challenge is not limited to rural areas—even urban spaces, including five-star hotels, struggle with menstrual hygiene management. These establishments must prioritize women’s needs by integrating proper menstrual hygiene facilities into their sanitation infrastructure.
Providing accessible disposal bins significantly reduces unsafe disposal practices, such as flushing pads down toilets or discarding them in open spaces, which pose serious health and environmental risks.
Uganda’s National Menstrual Hygiene Management Charter (2015) calls for schools and workplaces to provide menstrual-friendly infrastructure, including disposal bins and private wash areas. Similarly, the Water and Environment Sector Development Plan (2015–2020) recognizes the need for safe sanitation services, including menstrual hygiene management.
The Education Sector Policy also outlines WASH guidelines for schools, recommending gender-sensitive sanitation facilities, including bins in girls’ toilets.
For lasting progress, governments must develop and enforce policies that institutionalize menstrual health management in schools, ensuring adequate infrastructure, funding, and oversight.
We urge the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education to integrate menstrual waste management into national health and school sanitation audits, ensuring no institution is left behind.
