The Principal of Mukuyu Girls sent a plea to the Ministry of Education to introduce a budget for sanitary pads in schools.
In Mukuyu, Trans Nzoia, over 500 students received free sanitary towels from well-wishers last year. In that year, the records show that school attendance for the girls improved. The majority of them managed to stay in school during this season.
According to a menstrual health report, 65% of women and girls cannot afford pads. In a report by UNESCO, one out of ten girls in sub-Saharan Africa miss school during their periods. They cannot afford pads and have to miss school as a result. Also according to the LM Foundation Director, 63% of Kenyan girls stay at home while on their menstrual cycle.
The African Elite Group and LM Foundation donated menstrual products to girls for their education. This happened at the Immaculate Conception High School, Mukuyu. Statistics from the school showed direct evidence of improved school attendance of the girl child.
“Amref and the Ministry of Health indicate that over one million girls in Kenya miss out on school for 4-5 days a week. This is because they have no pads while on their periods,” said Lucia Musau, the director of the LM Foundation.
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She also points out that because of the lack of pads, girls resort to harmful alternatives. Some of them result in using socks, sweaters and even leaves. These alternatives are not clean and could lead to the acquisition of bacterial diseases.
Nyongesa, the principal of Mukuyu High School, Cherengany called on the Ministry of Education. She pleads with them to support schools with funds to provide sanitary products for girls in school.
The cry comes after the possibility of provision existing. The same way condoms are provided in most universities to prevent pregnancies is the same way girls can be provided with sanitary towels.
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