By B, KNA
Lack of sustainable access to sanitary towels by school going girls remains a barrier to menstrual health initiatives in Siaya county.
Consequently, sustainable access to sanitary towels among school girls in the area remains a mirage despite numerous pad donation interventions to schools, the county senator Dr. Oburu Oginga has revealed.
According to Oburu, sustainable access to the crucial towels in local schools can easily be achieved by establishing Sanitary towel manufacturing plant in the region.
Speaking during celebrations to mark the International Day of the girl child at Akoko secondary in Bondo, the senator disclosed that the previous county regime led by former governor Cornel Rasanga had plans for the sanitary towel factory, but the anticipated deal between the county and Korean government fell through on technicality.
” Rasanga and I visited Korea, where we went to source for an investor to come and invest in sanitary towel production company in Siaya county, but midway through the agreement, we discovered that the foreign company could not enter into a joint venture with us forcing us to shelve the deal,” he said.
However, the senator assured that he was going to work with the current governor James Orengo to ensure that the plan is revived and implemented to address concerns on sustainable access to sanitary towels to school girls.
“This is a noble idea that I am willing to push and ensure that the county goverment implements for the benefit of our girls,” he said.
Oburu who donate over 5000 sanitary towels to girls at Akoko seconday school, warned both boys and girls against engaging in premarital sex that result in high cases of early pregnancies being recorded in the county saying it would jeopardize their future.
On the contrary, the senator underscored the need for members of the society to protect the interests of the girl child by ensuring they get education and avoid early pregnancy for them to contribute to economic growth of the country.