Her Voice, Her Rights, Her Future: International Girls' Day 2026 at Juhudi Jeshini

The hall at Juhudi Jeshini Secondary School was already glowing before the first speaker picked up the microphone. Pink and gold balloons framed a banner that said it all: Her Voice. Her Rights. Her Future.

It was International Girls' Day 2026, and ORA Pads had been invited by Kampala International University in Tanzania (KIUT) to share the day with the girls of the school. What followed was learning, laughter, and a promise kept: that no girl should have to face her period alone.

A hall full of girls

From the moment the girls took their seats, the room hummed with anticipation. This was a day made for them: a day to be heard, to learn, and to be reminded that they matter.

Learning without shame

Too many girls grow up believing that periods are something to hide. We came to change that story. Speakers from ORA and KIUT stood in front of the girls and spoke plainly and kindly about periods, health and hygiene: what is happening in their bodies, how to stay clean and comfortable, and why there is nothing to be ashamed of.

When a girl understands her body, she stops being afraid of it, and that confidence follows her into the classroom.

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Her voice matters. Her rights matter. Her future matters.

More than 600 pads

At the front of the hall, pads were stacked high, more than 600 of them, ready to go home with the girls. For a girl who cannot find or afford a pad, a period can mean days of missed lessons every month. A pad in her bag changes that. It means she can stay in class, keep up with her friends and keep her eyes on her dreams.

From our hands to theirs

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. Packet by packet, our team and volunteers handed the pads to the girls, and the hall filled with smiles.

Water, games and a lot of laughter

Between the talks and the handover, we made sure the day was joyful. Water kept everyone refreshed, and games and playful activities had the girls laughing and cheering together. It turns out that learning about your body and having fun can happen in the same room.

One school, one big photo

At the end of the day, everyone gathered outside for a group photograph: students, teachers, the KIUT team and the ORA team, with many of the girls holding their new pads high.

Thank you

A heartfelt thank you to Kampala International University in Tanzania (KIUT) and KIUTSO for inviting us and for bringing so much heart to the day. Thank you to the teachers and students of Juhudi Jeshini Secondary School for welcoming us, and to everyone who helped make it happen.

Empowered girls build stronger futures. We are already looking forward to the next school, the next hall full of girls, and the next chance to say it together: Her voice. Her rights. Her future.

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