Girl's death over menses should move us beyond hypocritical anger to act

On Friday September 6, 14 year-old Jackline Chepngeno, a Standard Six pupil of Kapiangek Primary School in Bomet County took the ultimate step, ending her life. Little Jackline hanged herself by her lesso near a local river undergoing what must have been unparalleled shame and pain.

Earlier that day, this innocent girl had gone to school, where nature had taken its normal course during lesson 3. She started on her periods as all girls are won’t do around that age. Her teacher, shockingly a fellow woman, ridiculed her for being “dirty” and “careless” and is said to have kicked her and sent her out of class. The girl went home, reported to her mother, headed to the river to fetch water and committed suicide.