By Waswa Tenywa
Uganda Muslim Supreme Council in partnership with Faith in Water UK yesterday launched the Dignity day at the UMSC Headquarters Old Kampala.
The launching ceremony was presided over by H.E the Mufti of Uganda Shk. Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje.
In his remarks, H.E the Mufti commended Ms. Susie Weldon from Faith in Water UK for partnering with UMSC under the Dignity for Girls Project. He also thanked Hajat Aphuwa Sebyaala for coordinating the Dignity day activities.
He said Islam has already catered for the dignity of a woman; citing Hadith in which the Prophet praised men who take care of all the needs of their daughters until they mature, including menstral Hygiene management.
This he said also shows that men should play a crucial role in promoting the dignity of girls and women.
The Mufti said that unlike the condom distribution issues on which religious leaders had reservations, UMSC fully supports menstrual hygiene management.
“I would like to assure you Ms. Susie and Adams that on the issue of menstrual hygiene, we are going to move together” the Mufti said.
Ms. Susan Weldon said the dignity day will go a long way in raising awareness about menstrual management hygiene.
“The fact that the first Dignity Day is happening at the National Mosque and it has been laucnhed by H.E the Mufti himself is very significant” Ms. Weldon noted adding that “we are very grateful to the UMSC support”.
Francesca Stidston, the Deputy Head of Office from UKAID Uganda also attended the Dignity Day Launch.
She called for an end to stigma against girls under going mentration noting that it is a normal thing that must be respected.
The UMSC Secretary for Women and Youth Shkt. Radhiyyah Namakula said that many Muslim girls in upper primary and lower secondary have missed classes and even dropped out of school because of lack of resources for proper menstrual hygiene management.
The UMSC Secretary General Hon. Ramadhan Mugalu said the Dignity Day will be celebrated every last Friday of June every year.
H.E Amb. Prof. Haji Badru Kateregga, the Deputy Mufti Shk. Abdallah Semambo and the Presidential Advisor Haji Tezikuba Sajjabi were among the key personalities present.
A special cake was cut as part of the Dignity day launch activities.
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