On 1st August 2026, Wezesha Girls Network Uganda joined Raising Teenagers Uganda, individuals, organizations, partners, volunteers and communities in Kisoro District for the 9th Edition of the Hike for Girls Uganda (#Hike4GirlsUg) a movement dedicated to advancing menstrual dignity and ensuring that no girl’s education is interrupted by her period. Raising Teenagers Uganda started it in 2017 as a simple walk and with time it has grown into a powerful platform for advocacy, solidarity and action. Over the years, the Hike for Girls Uganda has brought people together around a shared mission that menstruation should never be a barrier to a girl’s education, confidence or dreams.
This year, more than 100 participants travelled to Kisoro and took on the challenging trails of Mt. Mgahinga. While the mountain offered an opportunity for adventure, the real purpose of the journey went beyond reaching the peak. Every step represented a commitment to creating a society where girls can manage their periods safely, confidently and with dignity and for Wezesha Girls Network Uganda, the hike was an opportunity to amplify conversations about menstrual health and remind communities that menstrual dignity is a shared responsibility. Girls continue to experience challenges linked to limited access to menstrual products, stigma, misinformation and inadequate support. These challenges can affect their participation in school and their ability to engage fully in everyday life.
Before setting off, participants reflected on what had brought them to the hike. Their motivations were different, but their aspirations were connected. Some came to advocate for girls’ education. Others came because they believe in menstrual health and hygiene. Some simply wanted to use their time, energy and resources to contribute to a meaningful cause and together, they demonstrated that change is possible when people choose to act. Throughout the hike, conversations about menstruation helped challenge the silence and stigma that often surround periods. Creating spaces where menstruation can be discussed openly is an important step towards building communities where girls feel supported rather than ashamed.
Together with fellow participants visited Seseme Girls Secondary School in Kisoro, where girls received sanitary pads and interacted with the hikers. The engagement offered an important reminder that the purpose of #Hike4GirlsUg is not simply to organize an annual event. It is about connecting advocacy with tangible support for girls and creating opportunities for them to know that their wellbeing, education and ambitions matter. Providing menstrual products can help address one of the practical challenges girls face, but the impact goes further. It is also about restoring confidence, encouraging open conversations and reinforcing the message that every girl deserves to remain in school and pursue her dreams without being limited by menstruation.
The participation of men was particularly important in demonstrating that menstrual health is not exclusively a girls’ or women’s issue. When families, schools, communities, organizations and leaders work together, girls are more likely to receive the information, products, support and safe spaces they need. The partnerships behind #Hike4GirlsUg also demonstrated what can be achieved through collective action. From providing menstrual supplies and supporting logistics to mobilizing participants and amplifying the message, every contribution helped make the initiative meaningful.
Wezesha Girls Network Uganda extends sincere appreciation to every person and organization that contributed to the success of the 9th Hike for Girls Uganda,to the hikers who climbed Mt. Mgahinga, thank you for choosing to walk for a purpose greater than yourselves, to partners and supporters, thank you for investing in menstrual dignity and girls’ education, to the volunteers and organizers, thank you for the time, energy and commitment you dedicated to making the experience possible.
The 9th Hike for Girls Uganda has reminded us that meaningful change can begin with something as simple as taking a step. One step can start a conversation. A conversation can challenge stigma. A partnership can provide resources. And collective action can help create opportunities for girls to remain in school and pursue their ambitions. At Wezesha Girls Network Uganda, we believe that menstrual dignity is a right, not a privilege. Every girl deserves access to menstrual products, accurate information, supportive environments and the freedom to participate fully in her education and community.
The mountain has been climbed. The footsteps may have faded from the trails but the commitment remains. We will keep walking until every girl can menstruate with dignity, stay in school and pursue her dreams without limitations.
Compiled by; Ainomugisha Mercy.
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