Until we are all Safe, no one is Safe.
OUR OBJECTIVE
To address the core issues that are needed to battle climate change and global warming so as to live sustainably.
ESSEI provides a unique, specialized and unrivalled range of environmental and sustainable development services ranging from environmental conservation and protection, waste management, social innovations and creativity, menstrual health and hygiene management, livelihoods, advocacy and empowerment of women, girls, and the youths, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), sexual and reproductive health, legal aid and research with special emphasis on monitoring and evaluation.
Investing in Environmental Conservation
Investing in environmental conservation in Uganda involves financial investments, policy advocacy, awareness campaigns, and community mobilization for reforestation, biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism, job creation, sustainable farming, renewable energy, pollution control, and stakeholder collaboration with government, NGOs, civil society, and private companies for institutionalizing investments and ensuring sustainability.
Menstrual Health & Hygiene Management
Menstrual health and hygiene management (MHHM) involves a set of practices and behaviors that aim to ensure that women and girls can manage their menstruation safely, hygienically, and with dignity. It involves access and proper disposal of menstrual products, personal hygiene, and access to adequate sanitation facilities. A survey conducted in 2018 by Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WESCO) indicated that 79% of girls in Uganda reported that they miss up to 5 days of school each month due to their periods, and 17% miss up to 10 days, yet only 44% of girls in Uganda have access to sanitary pads, and many are forced to use unhygienic materials such as old clothes, and newspapers.
Currently, there are measures in place to enhance MHHM in the nation including research, education and awareness campaigns, distribution of menstrual products, and development of innovative solutions such as reusable pads, and biodegradable menstrual products. Women and girls are being taught how to make and use reusable sanitary pads. Organizations are backing policy change by lobbying for the inclusion of menstrual health in national health policies, and advocating for the provision of menstrual products in schools, workplaces, and public facilities. However, the present initiatives are not sufficient to meet the increasing need.
ESSEI comes in to carry out education and awareness campaigns to dispel myths and taboos about menstruation, while informing the women and girls on the good practices of menstrual health and hygiene. We equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to manage their menstrual health through workshops, community outreach programs, and social media campaigns. We manufacture and distribute free and subsidized environmentally friendly sanitary pads while advocating for increased access to clean and private toilets with facilities to dispose of used menstrual products.
In doing so, we promote good attitude towards menstruation, maintain good reproductive and overall health by reducing infections and the risk of falling victim to cervical cancer. By providing access to menstrual products and facilities, girls can continue their education without interruption and be empowered to take control of their health and well-being. This is our vision.