Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani Wednesday distributed hundreds of cartons of sanitary towels to vulnerable girls and women to commemorate the 2025 Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The theme for Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025 is “Together for a #Period Friendly World,” urging collective action to ensure that menstruation does not limit access to education, health, or opportunity.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration is an annual global day of awareness and action to promote good menstrual health among women and adolescent girls.
Governor Achani distributed the sanitary pads at Tiwi area of Matuga Sub County and said similar initiative of free sanitary pads would be issued in several administrative wards.
Achani handed over the cartons of sanitary pads to 20 Wezesha Young Mothers group in Tiwi Ward.
She stated that menstrual hygiene is a public health issue that affects the health, well-being, and dignity of women and girls globally.
“We are distributing free sanitary pads to vulnerable girls and women to show our commitment to improving menstrual health among women and young girls,” she said highlighting the importance of good menstrual hygiene.
The coastal county boss says menstruation should not be seen as somethings shameful and utterly private but as a symbol of life, vitality and strength and girls should be proud of it instead of feeling unwanted.
“We want to make Kwale a leader in menstrual hygiene and a beacon of hope for others in the coastal region,” she said.
Achani urged all and sundry to join the devolved government in advancing menstrual hygiene to ensure that every woman and girl can manage her menstruation safely, hygienically, and with pride.
“My commitment to supporting these young mothers remains strong; we are working together to restore their dignity, boost their self-esteem, and ensure they fully participate in society,” said Achani.
Zawadi Beba of Wezesha Young Mothers group thanked the county for the initiative and raised concerns over lack of access to menstrual hygiene for young women especially in rural areas.
Zawadi said that the lack of access to sanitary pads has severe consequences, including forcing many girls to miss school, increasing the likelihood of dropping out, and heightening the risk of engaging premature sex.
She stated that menstruation was part and parcel of womanhood and essential for procreation.
By Hussein Abdullahi
