Stakeholders in Kisii County have called on the government to improve access to sanitary towels, safe washing facilities and menstrual education for school-going girls in rural areas.
Speaking during the Menstrual Hygiene Day event at Kisii University, Woman Representative Aspirant Skeeter Kwamboka noted that girls in the rural areas skip school during menstruation because they lack sanitary pads and other basic necessities.
Kwamboka said the government should provide free sanitary pads in all schools to ensure that girls remain in school and pursue education.
She stressed the importance of educating girls on the different varieties of menstrual products to discourage the sharing of sanitary pads among girls, which might pose health risks.
“It is unrealistic to expect a girl from a rural area, who cannot even afford an exercise book, to buy sanitary pads retailing at Sh55,” Kwamboka noted.
The Woman Rep Aspirant distributed the commodity to 1500 girls with the aim of maintaining their dignity and ensuring proper menstrual hygiene management.
The Regional Commissioner for the Nyanza Region of the Kenya Girl Guides Association, Catherine Amaya, emphasized the importance of menstrual hygiene education, saying that it empowers the girls and promotes their well-being.
The event underscored the need for collaborative efforts among leaders, organisations, and the community to ensure that no girl is left behind due to lack of menstrual hygiene resources.
By Laura Atieno
