Not for SALE: No.

8 Volume 10
August 2007
Young Talk
is FREE •Know your rights
Sex education for •Stay in school
primary schools
•Wait to have sex

Boys and Menstruation

YOUNG TALK Editors visited the young • We tell girls not to miss classes.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
talkers in the districts of Bushenyi • We give them our sweaters to use in
Ibanda and Isingiro. It was interesting case their uniforms get dirty.
to note that boys were aware that • We ask teachers to give other
menstruation was a normal body punishments instead of caining
change in girls. Menstruation is when girls who are in their periods.
a girl’s body releases blood from the • We tell girls to always put on
womb or the uterus through the vagi- knickers to avoid embarrassment.
na. Some boys said that they support
girls during menstruation. But how do
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

they do it? This is what they say:

• We should not laugh at girls who are
in their periods.

My brother taught
me what to do
My elder brother helps me a lot when I am in my
periods. He taught me how to look after myself
and not allow boys to deceive me. I would like
boys in my class to help me and not laugh at me
when I I'm in my periods. I may feel bad and fail
to come to class. Menstruation is not easy.

It makes me uncomfortable, because of too

much pain and body weakness. Information
about menstruation has helped me to know
many things like when you have sex when you
have started your cycle you can easily get
No laughing at girls Tell girls quietly pregnant. Uditah Bagirwe, 15, P6, St
Joseph’s PS, Isingiro
I cannot laugh at a girl who is in her periods. If I see blood on a girl’s uniform, I go near her
Instead I would encourage her to take it easy. It and tell her to go and clean herself. I advise her
is a change that every girl goes through and it is to go to the senior woman teacher for help. I
normal. I think it is not difficult because it does think menstruation is difficult. Some girls feel shy
not kill. If I were a girl I would not want boys to when boys laugh at them. And at times girls
laugh at me since it is a normal. Boys should not who do not bath smell in class. If I were a girl I
force girls into sex because they can get would want boys to treat me well. I would make
pregnant. Reading about menstruation has sure I am clean all the time. I read information
taught me to treat girls like my own sisters. about menstruation for examination purposes. I
Niwamanya Acleouphus,16, Kagongo want to know more about puberty. Atukunda
PS Ibanda Raymond, 13, P7, Kataho PS, Bushenyi

BAD ATTITUDE
Menstruation is not good. Those girls who get it sleep with many men. • Boys be sensitive to girls
I don't want to sit with them. They smell in class for boys . when they are in their
Turyasingure Alex, P7, Kataho PS, Bushenyi periods
Personally I thank God for making me a boy because I hate seeing girls
in menstruation. I would feel embarrassed and hate myself for being a • Menstruation is not a
girl. I can almost blame God for creating me a girls! curse.It is a natural body
Gai David, Kisubi Boys School, Wakiso change

Boys, these are wrong beliefs. Menstruation is a sign • Menstruation happens to

of womanhood. It happens monthly to every female your sisters,mothers,aunties
who have reached puberty, including your sisters, and other women
aunties, even your own mother!
YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7
2 Young Talk, August 2007

Are boys in your school helpful?

Some girls miss school during Boys help with
menstruation because the school sweaters
environment is unfriendly. Do you find The boys in our school are
blo od on
so
helpful. If they see
this fair? How do boys in your school your uniform they give yo
u their
they
treat girls in their periods? Some sweaters to use.
to
A t
he
tim
lp
es
yo u to
call your friend
readers shared their stories with Young clean up yourself . Du rin g
of
Talk and hear are their experiences: menstruation, I feel a lot
res tle ss. I have
pain and become out
orm ati on ab
been reading inf
d thi s ha s
I'm sensitive to girls menstruation an
en
helped me a lot. I can ev
I am so sensitive about loc al pa d by
make my own
menstruation because I have co tto n wo ol.
using Maxwell
sisters who also go through the 14 ,P 7, Ka toho
June Aven,
same. I always encourage girls to PS, Bushenyi
feel free because it is normal. I
can inform a fellow girl to help
incase her dress gets dirty. I believe
menstruation is difficult because
most girls feel shy. And at times Girls always be prepared
they fall sick. If I were girl I would I help girls by advising them to always put on knickers to avoid
want boys to treat me well by not embarrassment. Menstruation can come anytime. So it is better for girls
telling everyone incase my dress to be ready. I see menstruation makes girls less active and they fear to
gets dirty. Kamukama play with others.If they do not bath they mayb have bad body smell. If I
Herbert 15, St Joseph’s PS, were a girl I would like boys not to laugh at me. Akatuha
Isingiro Dickson,15, Kyabiretwa PS,Ibanda

Facts about menstruation

Menstruation is when a What to use Make your
girl’s body releases blood There are many things you can use own pads
from the womb or the uterus to absorb the blood that comes out
through the vagina. so that your uniform does not get Iron it and fold the
soiled. You can use a clean piece of pieces to fit your
Girls usually begin menstruating cotton cloth to make local pads. Or panty area.
between the age of 9 and 16. Mens- you can buy Always pads which can
tral blood comes out of the vagina Use a pair of scissors
be bought from shops and or a new razor blade
about once a month but for others supermarkets.
it may be twice a month for various to cut.
reasons. All female menstruate till Feel good about Keep your pad
the age of 49. yourself! properly and use them
when period starts
Menstruation can happen any time. Girls, you should not feel shy about
menstruation. Menstruation is not a Remember home
Some-times there is no sign made pads can be
to show that your period curse. It means your body is
developing into woman-hood. used more than once.
will start soon. But for
some girls they get pain in You can get pregnant if you Wash iron and keep
the lower abdomen or have sex. Aviod early sex and them till the next
have general body stay in school. menstral period.
weakness.
Wash the T-shirt with soap and clean water
How to Rinse properly and hang on a line under the sun.
prepare

For teachers
• Carry some pads
or clean pieces of
cloth in your bag
for incase your
period starts
A Senior Woman teacher Ms Juliet
unexpectedly
Bashangi of Kataho PS demostrates
• Carry an extra
to girls how pads are used. Dear
clean pair of
Teachers, help girls to manage their
knickers
periods so that they don't miss
• Ask your senior
classes.
woman teacher
to help you when you do not know
Encourage boys to support instead
what to do. i
of teasing and laughing at them.
Keep some pads, water and an
Maintain hygiene extra uniform at school in case a
It is always good to be clean by girl soils herself.
bathing atleast twice a day to avoid Let us help girls to love their
bad smell and other bacterial chaning bodies.
infection.
YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7
 3 Young Talk, August 2007

The new story Sara happily runs to hug Sofia .Sofia

tells Sara that people are dying and no
continues.... one cares.Sara`s mother asks Sofia
As Sara comes home from where she was.
school, she finds elders outside,
worried about Sofia`s Sofia answered that she had gone to
diasapperance. town to have an HIV test, Sara`s mother
asked Sofia why she did not tell
Sara goes to her room very them.Sofia replied that she had to decide
worried.Sara`s mother asked her to on her own .
go to the well with her. As they
move they see Sofia in the garden.
The empt
emptyy compound
Sara comes home from school Sara goes to Please, Sofia,
her room come back and we’ll
show everyone how to
be strong

If we don’t find
her we’ll have to
tell the chief
It’s too early yet.
She might have gone
anywhere
t
Be concerned abounce
your friend`s abseaccuse
It is not good to ing
Come on, someone of infectV
Sara, let’s go the other with HI at
Always tell peopleare
to the well.

home where you

going e one
Early sex can caus
to get HIV who
Be kind to those
are HIV positive

The path to the well takes them near Sofia’s compound...

Sofia my dear,
Sofia, Sofia, are Look. Look at it. It’s where have you been?
you safe? We were dying and no one cares. We have been so
worried. We are all dying and no worried.
one cares.

But why didn’t

I went to town to take you tell us?
the HIV test. I’ve got to Oh, Sofia...
know the truth.
I had to decide
by myself.

Aviod early sex because you can get HIV/AIDS and die when you are still young.
YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7
4 Young Talk, August 2007
DEAR
Young TALK
la
P.O. B0X 22366 Kampa
Why is that some girls
do not experience
menstruation periods at the
age of 16, Could they be
abnormal? Tushabe R,
Rukungiri Modern PS
No, those girls are normal. The level
of development is different from
person to person. Some develop
faster than the others.
I feel too much pain
when I am urinating,
what could it be? Katimbo
M, Nakinyuguzi PS
Tell your parent to take you to the
doctor. This could be an infection
or even an STD if you have ever had
sex. You need to go to a health
worker for proper diagnosis
Is it true that if you wash
your penis with warm
water you cannot produce?
Katusiime B, Rukungiri
Mordern PS
That is not true. Sperms are
responsible for fertilizing the ovary.
The body will make sperm whether
you bath with cold water or not.
Never use warm water thinking you
will not make one pregnant.
Why is it that most girls
experience pain during
menstruation?
Achora P, 15, Anaka Central
PS, Gulu
Some girls experience painful periods
because of the contraction and
expansion of the muscles of the
uterus to get out blood. However,
this is normal. You can use a warm
piece of cloth to press your
stomach. You also try to be active
by going for sports. Take hot things
like tea. They help reduce pain.
My friends tell me if I do
not pull my clitoris I will
not produce and this worries
me a lot. Nakazige A,
Lwemiyaga PS, Sembabule
That is not true, pulling clitoris has
nothing to do with giving birth.
Many women do not pull their
clitoris but give birth. It is only a
practice in some cultures. Ask your
mother if you are not comfortable.
Is having a pimple one
of the signs that you are
in menstruation. Mwesigwe
R, Sky Standard PS,
Malongo
Pimples are one of the body changes
experienced by boys and girls in
puberty. Some boys too get pimples
yet they do not menstruate. Avoid
eating fatty food and take enough
water. Simply wash your face with
clean water and soap.
Can a girl who has
carried out an abortion
give birth in future? Akol B,
2-way PS, Busia
Yes, she can. But abortion can injure
the womb and one can never have
children and some die. Abortion lead
to psychological effect.
There is a woman who is
forcing me to have sex, I
told my father about it but
he has done nothing. And yet
this woman is continuing to
demand sex. Kakuru A, Good
Hope PS, Ntungamo
It is sad that this lady is continuing
to demand sex from you. Do you
have a mother or an aunt? Try to talk
to them. Tell your teacher or report
her to the police. Avoid moving
alone.
Pupils of St Joseph`s PS
love reading young Talk There is a boy in our
class who is fond of
touching my private parts
and he says if I report he will
kill me? Susan A.
Kabamba PS, Mubende
Suzan, continue telling him not to
touch your private parts. If he insist
report him to the teacher. Bad
touches is one is a form of child
abuse .
My friend is ever
advising me to have sex
after my periods; She says I
will not get pregnant?
Muduwa A , Buhugu PS
At your age you can get pregnant if
you have sex because your period is
irregular so there is no safer day for
you . It is better that you abstain
because you may get HIV and STDs.
Pupils of Kagongo PS say
I have a friend who is an
Young Talk has helped orphan and HIV positive
them to stay in school but the aunt forces her to
have sex with men.
Kamuruli G, PS, Kasese
What the auntie is doing is criminal.
Advice your friend to report
immediately to the LCs, teacher,
religious leader or Police .
Henry
Nsubuga
Counsellor
STF
Publisher:
STRAIGHT TALK
FOUNDATION
4 Acacia Avenue, Kololo, P. O. Box 22366,
Kampala, Tel: (031) 262030/1, Fax:
JOURNALIST 534858, E-mail: strtalk@imul.com,
strtalk@straight-talk.or.ug, Director: C.
FOR A DAY
Watson;; Deputy Director: T. Agutu,
Editorial Manager: B. Kagoro, Editors: E.
Kimuli, G. Awekofua, Chief Designer:
Gai David and Esther M. Kalanzi, Designer: Gb. Mukasa,
Reporter: J Abongowath, Printer: The
Tibamwenda of Kisubi Boys, New Vision, Young Talk is funded by
Wakiso, discuss about DANIDA, DFID & SIDA.
menstruation www.straight-talk.or.ug