KAMPALA – dfcu Bank on Tuesday launched a fundraising drive towards “Keep a Girl in School’ initiative fronted by Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) and the Ministry of Education and Sports.
According to URCS, the “Keep a Girl in School” is aimed at improving Menstrual Health Management among primary and secondary school going adolescent girls and young women.
The Country wide initiative was unveiled on March 28 by URSC and Ministry of Education and Sports at Mackay Memorial College – Nateete, in Rubaga division, Kampala.
In this partnership, the dfcu bank looks at enabling school girls to have access to information relating to menstrual hygiene management and necessary structures to make the process more comfortable.
The drive will be funded by dfcu employees through purchasing sanitary materials that will be distributed in selected rural schools.
The launch corresponds with the Global Menstruation Hygiene day 2019 running under the theme, “It’s time for action.”
According to Rukh-Shana Namuyimba, the Communications and Events Manager at dfcu, the drive is about supporting girls not only manage menstrual hygiene but also deal with self-awareness and confidence both of which are critical in achieving one’s goals.
“Today’s young girls will grow up to become tomorrow’s women entrepreneurs so it is imperative that we do our part in making it possible for them to have a chance at staying in school and living up to their full potential,” she said.
She echoed that dfcu Bank is commitment to continue engaging in activities that uplift and empower women and communities.
“With a workforce of about 1000 employees, even if we have only 80% contribute the minimum UGX 15,000, we will be able to at least keep 200 girls in school for one year. While there are a lot more girls in need this would go a long way in making it possible for the 200 to focus on getting an education against all odds,” Namuyimba adds.
dfcu staff Nicholas Kirevu thanked the bank for selecting such an initiative and an opportunity to contribute to a good cause, “It creates sense of purpose and meaning for us,” he said.
The internal campaign that will run for a period of three months falls under the Community development intervention area under dfcu’s Corporate Social Investment programme.
It is one of many activities that the Bank is carrying out as DFCU marks 55 years of operations in Uganda.
Uganda Red Cross Society urged Ugandans to join the drive. “Our National Society has taken the bull by the horns. As we commemorate this Menstruation Hygiene day we encourage all Ugandans to join our “Keep a girl in school” campaign as we advocate for the dignity of vulnerable girls who drop out of school due to lack of pads.”
URSC added that many young girls in Uganda are missing days at school, falling behind or dropping out completely.
“They often fall prey to early marriages and sexual predators just to access these basic needs. Help keep a girl in school for just 15,000/=, “with the sanitary pads she needs for a full term.” URCS noted.
