EMPOWERING MENSTRUAL DIGNITY:GIRLS WITH DISABILITY

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Champions of Change,

With deep appreciation, I am pleased to share the highlights of our recent outreach at Nakeel Primary School in Kajiado County. The Hope Foundation for African Women (HFAW) engaged 50 children with disabilities—30 girls and 20 boys—in a joint empowerment and dignity session focused on menstrual health, body hygiene, personal safety, and life skills.

Children with disabilities face unique vulnerabilities, including stigma, exclusion, and a higher risk of abuse. Recognizing these challenges, we designed a safe, inclusive, and interactive learning space where both boys and girls could learn together—building understanding, respect, and mutual support.

During the training, we introduced puberty as a natural stage of growth for all children, helping them understand physical and emotional changes. Girls learned about menstruation and hygiene practices such as using clean pads, changing regularly, bathing, and proper disposal. Boys, meanwhile, were guided to understand the menstrual process with sensitivity, fostering empathy and respect for girls’ experiences.

Both groups also received training on personal hygiene, body boundaries, consent, and abuse prevention. We emphasized bodily autonomy, the right to say “no,” recognizing unsafe situations, and the importance of speaking up and seeking help. This holistic approach ensured every child left informed, empowered, and confident in protecting their well-being.

Life skills—including communication, decision-making, emotional awareness, and self-confidence—were woven throughout the sessions to encourage positive behavior, peer respect, and strong self-esteem.

To promote dignity and hygiene, we distributed sanitary pads and underpants to the girls and boxers and tissue to the boys. These essential items not only addressed practical needs but also reinforced our message: every child deserves dignity, care, and support.

The children’s responses were inspiring. One girl shared, “I feel brave now. I understand my body, and I know what to do.” A boy added, “I will respect girls and also take care of myself.” These reflections demonstrate the meaningful shift in awareness, confidence, and mutual respect.

We extend our sincere thanks to the teachers and administration of Nakeel Primary School for their support and commitment to inclusive learning. Their involvement ensures that lessons of dignity, safety, and empowerment will continue beyond our visit.

At HFAW, we remain steadfast in our mission to ensure that children with disabilities are not left behind—that they grow with dignity, confidence, and equal opportunities for a bright future.

With heartfelt appreciation,
Doris Kananu
Program Director, HFAW

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Champions of Change,
With heartfelt gratitude, I’m pleased to share the highlights of a recent and deeply impactful outreach carried out by the Hope Foundation for African Women (HFAW) at Arap Moi Primary School in Kajiado County. This initiative was dedicated to empowering 49 adolescent girls with disabilities through training on menstrual health, early pregnancy prevention, and essential life skills. As part of this effort, each girl also received a donation of sanitary pads and underpants to promote dignity and proper menstrual hygiene.
Girls with disabilities often experience unique challenges that put them at higher risk of stigma, neglect, and abuse. Recognizing this, our outreach aimed to create a safe, inclusive space where the girls could be seen, heard, and supported. We designed the training to be interactive, accessible, and affirming, ensuring that each girl not only understood the content but felt confident asking questions and sharing her experiences.
Our sessions covered key topics essential to the well-being of every adolescent girl. We began by helping the girls understand menstruation as a natural and healthy part of growing up. We emphasized that menstruation is not stopped or altered by disability and should never be a source of shame. The team also guided the girls through practical menstrual hygiene
practices such as using clean materials, changing regularly, handwashing, bathing, and proper disposal methods. We reinforced the message that asking for help is not a weakness but a right.
We addressed the emotional and physical changes that occur during menstruation, offering strategies to manage discomfort and mood swings, including using hot water bottles, resting, and speaking to a trusted adult. One of the most powerful segments of our outreach focused on preventing early pregnancy. The girls learned about bodily autonomy, their right to say no, how to recognize abuse, and how staying in school empowers them to make decisions about their future.
Additionally, we introduced foundational life skills including self-awareness, decision- making, communication, problem-solving, and confidence-building—reminding the girls that disability is not inability, and that their dreams are valid and achievable.
To support their menstrual health in a practical and immediate way, we provided each of the 49 girls with sanitary pads and underpants. These small items carry a big message: you are valued, your health matters, and you deserve dignity. The response was deeply moving. One participant, Achieng, not her real name, shared, “This is the first time someone has talked to me about periods in a way I can understand. I feel empowered now.” Another, Sharon, not her real name, added, “I now know I can say no when someone tries to touch me wrongly.

“Thank you for teaching me that.”
We were also encouraged by the presence and support of the school staff, who expressed their commitment to continuing this important work by advocating for inclusive, safe, and supportive spaces for girls with disabilities. Their collaboration is vital in ensuring that every girl, regardless of her ability, has the opportunity to flourish and succeed.
At HFAW, we remain steadfast in our belief that every girl deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive. Your ongoing support enables us to expand our reach, challenge harmful norms, and equip girls with the tools they need to build confident, healthy lives.
Together, we are creating a future where no girl is left behind.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Doris Kananu
Program Director, HFAW.