A non-governmental organization has embarked on an initiative of providing primary school girls in Homa Bay County with sanitary pads.
The entity dubbed the Global Health Organization targets vulnerable children from less fortunate backgrounds.
Director of Operations at the Organization, Christine Nyaboke, said the initiative was aimed at minimizing school absenteeism amongst girls whenever they were in their periods. Nyaboke said they were also donating tooth paste and tooth brushes to needy students.
At Ongeti Primary School in Kochia Ward, Rangwe Constituency, the organization also donated balls to both boys’ and girls’ football teams.
“Our aim is to improve hygiene for both girls and boys who hail from humble backgrounds. The donations will enhance their retention in school,” Nyaboke said.
Addressing the media during handover of the items, Nyaboke said they are working closely with community health promoters in identifying vulnerable families.
She said that the families were assisted under the Community Health Empowerment project.
“Trained community health promoters will help us deliver on the project. We want to support the community at the household level,” she said.
Homa Bay Public Health Chief Officer, Evelyn Ododa, said the project will enhance the fight against sexual gender-based violence which is rampant in the County.
She noted that sex pests took advantage of vulnerable girls by buying them sanitary pads in exchange for sexual favours.
More than 500 adolescent girls and boys benefitted from the donations at Ongeti Primary School.
Ododa noted that the triple threat of new HIV infections, teen pregnancies and Gender based violence (GBV), must be tackled decisively in order to improve the standards of education in the County.
“Apart from improving hygiene, regular school attendance improves the academic performance for girls. Issues of triple threat are also addressed,” Ododa said.
She urged the girls to dispose of the sanitary towels in the right manner after use to protect the environment.
“The footballs help in promoting and nurturing talents for both boys and girls. We are grateful to the organisation for the support to the students,” she said.
By Davis Langat
