Menstrual Hygiene Education Dispatched to Students
G for Girls initiative officials. (Photo By Caroline Katana)
By Caroline Katana
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Some 300 students have been sensitized on menstrual health hygiene in Kwale County amid rising ‘poverty period” levels across Africa.
The students from six schools in Lunga Lunga Subcounty received life-changing training on menstrual hygiene management as part of a wider campaign to end period poverty in Kenya and beyond.
The sensitisation forum organized by G for Girls Initiative Kwale that took place during the global observance of Menstrual Hygiene Day at Aridhini Social Hall.
It was supported by key stakeholders including Health department, local police departments, and probation officers.
Periods Shouldn’t Stop Education
Ilse Kithembe, policy, advocacy, and communications manager at G for Girls Initiative, said the session was aimed at addressing the deep-rooted stigma and lack of access to sanitary products that hinder girls’ education and well-being.
“Many girls don’t attend school during menstruation due to lack of pads, proper hygiene, or knowledge. Today, we not only educate them but also distributed sanitary pads, underwear for girls, and boxers for boys. We also provided teachers with emergency kits to support students in need in their schools,” she said.
According to UNICEF over 500 million women and girls worldwide lack adequate menstrual hygiene management.
In Kenya, 65% of women and girls cannot afford sanitary pads, and one in 10 schoolgirls miss classes during their periods.
In Kwale, where 71% of the population lives below the poverty line, period poverty contributes to high rates of teenage pregnancy and school dropouts.
The county has a teen pregnancy rate of 29%, significantly higher than the national average of 18% according to Kenya Demographic and Health Survey.
Period poverty, in Kwale, is linked to teenage pregnancies, gender based violence (GBV), and school dropouts rates in primary and secondary schools.
According to Kithembe period poverty is not just a health issue; it is a gender and human rights crisis.
“Many girls are lured into sexual exploitation by men offering to buy them pads. This exposes them to abuse, early pregnancies, and lifelong trauma. Educating them and ensuring access to menstrual products is a vital step toward protecting their rights.”
Digital Sexual Exploitation
Police officer Ochieng Otieno from Jego Police Post highlighted a new threat of online sexual abuse among teenagers.
“Many children are engaging in sexual activities over mobile phones—sharing nude videos and images. This digital exploitation is growing and must be addressed urgently,” he warned.
The officer urged survivors and parents to report abuse cases early and preserve evidence for legal prosecution.
“If a child is sexually assaulted, they should not bathe. They must report the case and go to a hospital within 48 hours to preserve forensic evidence. Without this, cases collapse in court.”
Break Silence on GBV
Walter Jira, a probation officer, noted that many cases of gender-based violence (GBV) go unreported due to threats and stigma.
“Communities must rise above fear and can also report GBV anonymously using toll-free numbers. Reporting is the first step to justice.”
He expressed concern over unsafe sexual behaviors among youth, including anal sex, which increases the risk of STIs and long-term health damage.
“Your body is not for abuse. Protect your health and dignity. Sexual health is critical for your future.”
Africa’s Menstrual Health Crisis
Across Africa, one in three girls miss school during their periods due to lack of access to menstrual products and sanitation.
UNESCO reports that only 37% of schools in sub-Saharan Africa have gender-separated toilets, worsening stigma and absenteeism.
Menstrual health activists across the continent are now calling on governments to:
● Provide free sanitary products in schools
● Implement comprehensive sexual education
● Enforce laws against sexual exploitation and GBV
The G for Girls Initiative Kwale initiative highlighted the urgent need to prioritise menstrual health in national and global policy.
As more communities break taboos and demand dignity for girls, the message is clear – menstruation should never be a barrier to education, safety, or equality.
