Survey shows most women lack access to sanitary products

Padmad Kenya donates reusable sanitary towels to students at St Paul Primary School in Marala, Samburu County. [File, Standard].

As the world marks International Health Day, a survey on menstrual hygiene products by global women's rights organisation Nguvu Collective has revealed critical accessibility gaps that expose women and girls to risks of exploitation and sexual abuse.

The report titled 'Echoing Voices from the Grassroots on Dignified Period for All' involved 9,500 women and girls from the grassroots, with 50 per cent of the respondents being from rural parts of Kenya.

The study revealed the accessibility, affordability, and sufficiency gaps of menstrual products in 45 counties of Kenya with nearly half of the respondents reporting few shops in their area selling menstrual hygiene products.

One in three respondents reported having faced or been at risk of sexual harassment, exploitation, or abuse due to lack of access to menstrual hygiene products.

The survey shed light on the harsh reality of period poverty, breaking the silence around access, affordability, and stigma.

"Every voice in this report is a call to action, demanding that menstrual equity, justice, and dignity be prioritized by our duty bearers," Frida Karani who was one of the architects of the survey said.

The five-month-long survey was conducted from October 2024 to February 2025 and was supported by the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Kewopa) and more than 10 local partners.

The survey also interviewed recipients of sanitary pads from the government's Sanitary Towels Programme to establsih the sufficiency.

Forty-one per cent of the recipients said that the supply was insufficient, 35 per cent indicated they had not received pads through the programme and 23.2 per cent felt the supply was adequate.

"We urge the National Assembly to act on these findings. Passing the Provision of Sanitary Towels Bill is one strong step towards closing the period poverty gap and safeguarding the reproductive and mental health of women and girls across Kenya", said Nguvu Collective CEO Preethi Herman.

"In 2022, the Auditor General's report on the Provision of Sanitary Towels to Girls in Public Primary Schools highlighted inefficiencies in distribution. This research, conducted with the support of Kewopa and grassroots partners, confirms that quality, affordability, and sufficiency are major concerns.

"The findings highlight the harsh reality that when menstrual products are out of reach, the dignity and safety of women and girls are compromised. We cannot continue failing our girls; that's why Kewopa proudly stands with Change Leaders and the Nguvu Collective in pushing for policies that will prioritize dignity, access, and equity in menstrual health," said Kewopa Chairperson and Kajiado MP Leah Sankaire.

Nguvu Collective plans to present these findings and recommendations to key stakeholders, including nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, sponsor of the Provision of Sanitary Towels Bill, 2024, in Parliament.

They will also engage with Kewopa, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts, and Heritage to discuss collaborative efforts and policy interventions that ensure the provision of free, quality, and sufficient sanitary towels in public institutions and correctional facilities.