Why We Need Data
Understanding the context that children face in their communities is crucial to designing and implementing projects that truly meet their needs. Data helps confirm anecdotal evidence and guides our thinking to direct our programs to where they are needed most. This was the message presented by the ACESWorld team at the Second National Girl Summit in Uganda. At the event, organized by Girls Not Brides, ACESWorld shared the past successes and future vision for the Pads4Learning program.
Pads4Learning has provided access to sanitary products, training, and support for girls in Columbia, Ghana, and Uganda, helping them manage menstruation safely and continue their education. Girls sew or receive reusable sanitary pads and accurate information to combat the shame and stigma associated with menstruating. ACESWorld told the story of Pads4Learning through data, presenting findings of an evaluation survey collected six months after the implementation of the program at a primary school in Uganda. Supplementing the data was a video testimonial from a headteacher who has observed the program’s impact on girls first-hand. She stated:
“We used to have problems with our girls, especially when they were in their periods. They could miss school. Performance was low, and they could not participate in extracurricular activities. After the intervention of ACESWorld, now performance of the girls has improved and they do participate in extracurricular activities.”
After sharing an overview of the Pads4Learning method and survey data, ACESWorld invited civil society organizations to join the Girls Data Collaborative to have access to Pads4Learning data and share their own data, resources, and expertise with other members. In this way, organizations may implement more sustainable and impactful projects aided by fast and reliable information that puts the voices of girls at the center of discussion and planning. Members also have a platform to interact online and share ideas together through webinars, calls, and Facebook.
Learn more about our Pads4Learning Program