Written by Lynette Mujaasi Kaye

The question no girl should have to ask

In many communities across Uganda and beyond, the lack of basic sanitation—no toilets, no clean water, no safe spaces—leaves girls facing an impossible and undignified question every single month: Where can I go?

As I reflect on my recent global win for my work addressing open defecation, I have come to realize that sanitation is not just about building toilets or latrines – it’s about dignity. For millions of girls and women around the world, menstruation becomes a monthly crisis due to the lack of access to safe, private, and hygienic sanitation facilities.

When toilets are missing, so is safety

At least 500 million women and girls globally lack access to adequate facilities for managing their menstruation with privacy and safety. Without proper toilets or clean water, menstruation becomes a source of shame, risk, and isolation. Imagine being unable to change a pad or wash your hands safely due to inadequate water or privacy – this is the daily reality for far too many.

Girls without access to latrines often wait until nightfall to relieve themselves or change menstrual products—exposing them to dangers like harassment, snake bites, or worse. What should be a natural part of life becomes a source of fear.

The situation in Uganda and beyond

In Uganda and many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, open defecation remains widespread. In some countries like Niger, that number rises to a staggering 90%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, more than half of schools lack basic water services. In Bangladesh, only 23% of schoolgirls have access to toilets with soap, water, and a safe way to dispose of used menstrual products.

This lack of infrastructure has serious consequences—not just for health, but also for girls’ confidence and futures. Girls without access to sanitary products or safe toilets often resort to using dirty rags, leaves, or other unsafe materials, which can lead to infections and reproductive health issues.

Education interrupted

Menstruation should not disrupt education. But in Uganda, 7 out of 10 girls miss school during their periods—far higher than the sub-Saharan average of 1 in 10, reported by UNESCO. The fear of being bullied, stained, or unable to manage menstruation in school leads many girls to stay home or drop out entirely.

When girls miss too much school, many never return. In some communities, dropping out due to menstruation isn’t the end of their education—it’s the start of a much more serious problem: early marriage. Girls who fall behind in class are often viewed as “ready for marriage and babies” instead of needing support. Menstruation, which should be a sign of growth, becomes the beginning of a lifetime of lost potential. No girl should be forced into marriage simply because she got her period and couldn’t manage it safely.

A call for menstrual-friendly sanitation

To create truly inclusive sanitation, we must integrate menstrual hygiene management into our plans and policies. This means ensuring:

• Safe, private toilets and latrines
• Reliable access to clean water and soap
• Affordable and sustainable sanitary products
• Comprehensive menstrual health education and awareness programs that challenge stigma and inform both girls and boys

As the World Bank, and WaterAid emphasize, sanitation systems must be designed with girls in mind. A safe toilet isn’t just a convenience—it’s a gateway to education, opportunity, and dignity. As one girl in rural Uganda told WaterAid:

“When I am menstruating, I want to feel clean. I want to feel safe. But where do I go if there is no toilet?

Her question echoes across classrooms, villages, and cities alike. And from 17-year-old Bridget in Zambia;

“When I am on my period, I don’t feel safe changing sanitary pads in there [toilet]. It is embarrassing to deal with menses in those toilets while at school. I opt to stay home on some days as it is not easy to stay without changing during my periods.”

A Personal commitment

According to WHO and UNICEF;

“Around 2 billion people – or 1 in 4 – cannot wash their hands with soap and water at home.”

That’s why I’m thrilled to donate a portion of my prize money to FlowReady, an organization dedicated to promoting menstrual hygiene and supporting girls’ health and education. Their FlowReadyNow period kit includes essentials like reusable pads and soap – items many families simply can’t afford.

My experience creating content around sanitation and open defecation highlighted the critical need for accessible, dignified menstrual care. By supporting FlowReady, I hope to contribute to their efforts in providing sanitary products, education, and essential resources to girls who need them most – as this means girls get to attend school for longer.

FlowReady’s vision

At FlowReady, we believe that no girl should have to choose between managing her period and protecting her dignity. That’s why our work goes beyond menstrual education—we advocate for girl-friendly sanitation at home, in schools, and in every public space.

I cannot wait to help FlowReady with advocating for girl-friendly sanitation in schools, homes, and public places. Our message is clear: no girl should have to skip school, risk her health, or feel ashamed simply because she got her period.

As someone who has used media to raise awareness about sanitation and open defecation, I’m proud to support a movement that gives girls the tools, knowledge, and dignity they deserve.

We cannot end period poverty without ending toilet poverty. And we cannot build a better future for girls if we ignore the most basic question they’re still being forced to ask:

Where can I go?