We aim to provide 40,000 schoolgirls of menstrual age with reusable sanitary pads free of charge and educate them about reproductive health. Our aim is to ensure that no girl will have to miss school, get humiliated, be bullied or contract infections simply because they are menstruating. We plan to distribute dignity kits in schools; these will be manufactured locally by women and youths groups from the most venerable communities thus providing livelihood opportunities for the girls' families.
Lack of or limited access to affordable sanitary towels in Kenya has been known to negatively impact the social, psychological and reproductive health of schoolgirls; for example on 12th September 2019, a 14-year-old girl from Kabiangek Primary School in Bomet county committed suicide after she was humiliated in school for soiling her dress with menses. On average a schoolgirl on her menses loses about 13 learning days termly resulting in poor performance in class, lowering her dignity even more
We will produce and distribute reusable sanitary pads, free of charge sanitary pads to 40000 schoolgirls as well as educate them about menstrual health and practices thus schoolgirls will not use crude methods, which predispose them multiple reproductive health risks, to deal with their menses. We will educate schoolgirls on how to use, clean and maintain reusable sanitary towels. Every schoolgirl will receive dignity kits that include sanitary pads and other hygiene items during school visits.
These will lead to improved school attendance and therefore performance amongst girls. Better menstrual hygiene will result in reduced urinary tract infections (URTI), thus better reproductive health and consequently dignity. In addition, increased awareness of menstruation amongst boys and other members of the community will demystify taboos. The manufacture of dignity kits by women and youth groups will provide income to the families of these girls.
