As part of The Slum Period Project, Period Talk Uganda partnered with ACIHEWE to deliver a community outreach in Kijungu Slum, Mbarara, an HIV hotspot community, promoting integrated menstrual health, sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention and gender-based violence awareness.
Held in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the initiative was delivered through three community sessions designed to engage sex workers while remaining open to the wider community. As a result, the outreach brought together women, men, girls and boys, creating an inclusive platform for learning and dialogue while ensuring that sex workers who often face heightened barriers to healthcare and essential services were intentionally reached.
Participants received education on menstrual health, sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention and gender-based violence, creating safe spaces to ask questions, access accurate information and connect with available support services.
To respond to immediate community needs, the outreach distributed reusable menstrual pads, together with underwear, soap, HIV self-testing kits and condoms, equipping participants with essential resources that support menstrual dignity, HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health and overall wellbeing.
By combining targeted engagement with sex workers and broader community participation, the outreach demonstrated the importance of inclusive, community-led interventions that leave no one behind. Through this partnership, Period Talk Uganda and ACIHEWE reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the interconnected challenges of period poverty, HIV and gender-based violence while ensuring that underserved communities have access to the knowledge, resources and support needed to live with dignity, confidence and improved health outcomes.