College pair make pads from banana stem

Nakuru,  Kenya; Most homesteads boast of at least one banana tree. It is probably because of its fast growth and low maintenance that makes it so easy to grow.

But apart from the banana being a staple food, a spirited research by two Kabarak University students shows that the banana trunk can be used to make  sanitary pads.

Their noble cause has stemmed from the trying time young girls endure during their menses.

For years, teenage girls from poor families and marginalised areas have been forced to stay home during their menstruation period. It is unfortunate the girl child misses out on her studies as her colleagues continue with the school programme.

To function normally, girls resort to using unhygienic materials such as rags, newspapers, soil and even animal skin to manage their monthly flow. No doubt this spells a health risk to the hapless girl.

The two, who are passionate about social change, point out that despite the female gender being a blessing to family and the society as a whole, the menstrual cycle tends to isolate them.

But hope has finally shown its face. Banana Fibre Sanitary Wear, an innovation by Ivy Etemesi and Paul Ntikoisa, will provide affordable sanitary towels to needy girls. The Bachelor of Education students has been doing a research on the use of the banana trunk in making sanitary towels in consultation with health experts, after realising challenges encountered by girls and women in Marigat, Mogotio and Rafiki’s in Baringo County.

“While conducting our research, school going girls claimed they are forced to stay at home during their menses due to shame whenever they soil their uniforms. Women said they abstain from going to church due to stigma,” says Mr Ntikoisa.

The university students’ invention, if approved, could salvage the plight of poor girls.

How they are made

The towels are made using banana fibres that are locally available, absorbent, ecological friendly and are not harmful to the skin, says the duo.

“There are imported sanitary towels in the market but most women cannot afford them.

Banana sanitary towels will be cost effective because the cost of production is lower since the raw materials are locally available,” says Ms Etemesi. According to her, a single pad will retail at only Sh6.

“Banana pads are durable and effective, and cost less compared to other pads,” she adds.

Production process

To make the towels, the fresh cellulose part of the banana stem is harvested and cleaned with water to remove particles before commencing the production process.

The cellulose part is then crushed on a clean wooden surface using a wooden stick to turn it into fibre. The fibre is then dried in the sun for about six hours to increase its durability before being disinfected.

The disinfected fibres are then laid out on a wooden surface manually in towel shaped core-forming units and arranged in strips. Irregular strips are removed to prevent pricking when one wears the towel.

Each strip is later wrapped with two absorbent soft liners to ensure the pad’s surface is soft.

Later, the towel is placed on a macintosh paper and woven using thread and needle. Finally, cello tape is placed on the hanging wings for easier opening and sticking.

“Stitching of the macintosh paper is done, leaving the wings where cello tape is used to firm the pad to avoid movement of the pad during flow,” says Etemesi. Female students at the institution have tested the product and say it is highly effective, “Students who used the product say it can hold blood flow for at least seven hours before the need for change,” says Etemesi.

Ntikoisa observes that unlike contraceptives that are free and easily available, pads, tampons and other menstruation equipment are not as affordable and accessible.

“Lack of affordable sanitary towels mostly by teenagers from poor families forces them to indulge in prostitution among other immoralities to raise money to buy them,” observes Ntikoisa.

He calls on the Government to create awareness in regions where menstruation is regarded as a taboo to boost the productivity of women.

“There should be more education to eliminate the stigma of menstruation,” he observes.

The innovators call on well-wishers to support them financially to enable them purchase macintosh papers and liners.

“Resources are the only challenge in making affordable and effective banana sanitary towels that will improve livelihoods of our female folk,” they say. The innovation was ranked position one under the innovation category during the annual Kabarak University International Conference.