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| A section of the youths in Soweto, South Africa carrying playcards in a protest against government delays to provide free sanitary pads to young girls . Photo credit: |
As we come lamenting,
Lamenting, in grieved voices,
We bring the greater challenges,
Of menstrual health for girls,
At home, school and work.
No sanitary towels to use,
Menses maps our cloths,
Men, boys make fun of us,
Reputation is lost to humiliation,
Give us sanitary tissues,
Give us healthcare.
Severe cramps in abdomens,
Painful and restless,
Dodge classes and lectures,
Absenteeism at work and meetings,
Because we’re unhealthy.
No support for young girls,
In rural and urban centres,
Living a self-isolation life,
28days of menstrual cycle,
Performance declines,
Using rough cloths as napkins,
Our health mismanaged,
Bearing society stigma,
Give us sanitary tissues,
Give us healthy respect.
By Leonard Kamugisha AKIDA
[Uganda]
Journalist, Blogger, Poet.
Bachelor of Mass Communications [Kampala International University]
Revised Edition 2020
