Menstrual health remains a significant challenge for millions of girls and women across Africa, particularly in rural and underserved communities. In a recent interview with Just4WomenAfrica, Omondi Eric, Founder and CEO of Esonga Menstrual Care in Uganda, shared his journey, the inspiration behind his work, and his vision for a future where every girl can manage her menstruation with dignity.
Inspired by Community Challenges
Eric’s passion for menstrual health advocacy began in his childhood village in Busia District, located on the border between Uganda and Kenya. Growing up, he witnessed firsthand how women often struggled with issues ranging from gender-based violence to lack of basic necessities.
He credits much of his inspiration to his mother, a community women’s leader who supported women facing various challenges.
Listening to the stories of women and girls in his community opened his eyes to the barriers they faced and motivated him to become part of the solution, despite cultural norms that often discouraged men from engaging in conversations about women’s issues.
Why Esonga Focuses on Reusable Menstrual Products
According to Eric, many girls in rural communities have little or no access to menstrual products. As a result, some resort to using old rags, pieces of cloth, newspapers, or other unsafe materials during their periods.
To address this challenge, Esonga promotes reusable menstrual pads as a sustainable and affordable alternative.
Unlike disposable pads, reusable pads can last between six and twelve months or up to 100 washes when properly maintained. This significantly reduces costs for families while also helping to minimize environmental waste.
Eric explained that reusable pads not only provide a practical solution but also empower women and girls by giving them greater control over their menstrual health.
Overcoming Cultural Barriers
One of the biggest challenges Eric faced when starting Esonga was overcoming cultural stigma.
As a young man advocating for menstrual health, he often encountered resistance from people who believed menstruation was strictly a women’s issue.
Many questioned why a man would choose to focus on menstrual health instead of pursuing other business opportunities.
Despite these challenges, Eric remained committed to his mission, believing that menstrual health affects entire communities and that men have an important role to play in supporting women and girls.
Harmful Menstrual Practices Still Exist
During the interview, Eric highlighted several harmful practices that continue to exist in some communities due to lack of education and access to menstrual products.
He shared examples of girls using soil, newspapers, old mattresses, and other unsafe materials to manage their periods. In some communities, women isolate themselves during menstruation, losing valuable opportunities for education and economic participation.
Eric also pointed to persistent myths surrounding menstruation. Some people still believe menstruation is a curse or punishment rather than a natural biological process.
These misconceptions, he said, contribute to stigma and prevent girls from seeking accurate information and support.
Why Men and Boys Must Be Part of the Conversation
A key aspect of Esonga’s work is involving boys and men in menstrual health education.
Eric believes that many of the challenges girls face stem from stigma and teasing, particularly in schools.
When girls are mocked because of menstruation, some lose confidence and may even drop out of school.
By educating boys from a young age, Eric hopes to foster a generation of supportive men who understand menstrual health and respect the experiences of women and girls.
He emphasized that when women are supported, entire communities benefit.
Impacting Thousands of Girls and Women
Over the past two years, Esonga has reached approximately 8,500 girls and women through menstrual health education, reusable pad training programs, and community outreach initiatives.
The organization continues to expand its impact through partnerships with schools, community groups, and other organizations working to improve women’s health and well-being.
For Eric, impact is measured not only by numbers but by the positive changes in knowledge, confidence, and opportunity experienced by the girls and women they serve.
A Call for Government Action
Eric believes governments across Africa can do more to improve menstrual health outcomes.
He advocates for policies that make menstrual products more affordable and accessible, especially for schoolgirls. He also calls for supportive tax policies that encourage local menstrual health entrepreneurs to manufacture and distribute products within their countries.
According to Eric, menstrual products should be viewed as essential health commodities rather than luxury items.
Looking Beyond Uganda
While Esonga’s current focus is Uganda and East Africa, Eric has ambitious plans for the future.
He hopes to expand the organization’s reach across Africa and eventually into other regions of the world through partnerships, investment, and innovative distribution models designed to serve hard-to-reach communities.
His vision is to ensure that no girl is left behind simply because of where she lives.
A Message to African Girls
When asked what message he would like every African girl to hear, Eric’s response was both simple and powerful:
“You are powerful, and you have the power within yourself to thrive.”
He encouraged girls to view menstruation as a natural part of growing up and to pursue their dreams without allowing stigma or barriers to hold them back.
Conclusion
The conversation with Omondi Eric highlighted the critical importance of menstrual health education, access to affordable products, and community involvement in breaking stigma.
Through Esonga Menstrual Care, Eric is demonstrating that sustainable, community-driven solutions can improve the lives of thousands of girls and women while creating lasting social impact.
As Africa continues to address issues of gender equality, education, and public health, initiatives like Esonga are helping ensure that menstrual health remains part of the conversation and part of the solution.
This interview was conducted by Just4WomenAfrica as part of its ongoing commitment to amplifying the voices of individuals and organizations working to improve the lives of women and girls across Africa.
