Give girls sanitary pads and raise awareness to curb period stigma

There is need for increased government funding for free sanitary pads and provision of sufficient female hygiene products in all public schools. [iStockphoto]

I was 16 years old when I first witnessed a case of period shaming. It was a school festival bringing together 30 schools for a debate competition.

One girl from a neighbouring school took to the stage to give her points on the debate, unaware that her skirt was stained. Five girls surrounded their friend in a quick attempt to conceal the 'oops' moment by covering her skirt with their sweaters and books.

Looking back, if the girl's dignity was not protected by her friends, she would have lived with low self-esteem, becoming a laughingstock in front of teenagers. That would have affected the confidence which she exuded at the debate.

It was not the first time I had heard of 'the flow'. In Biology, it was casually taught, and I thought it was a project. Coming from a family of three brothers did not make it any easier because the menstrual cycle is not a conversation that quickly pops up.

How many girls and young women have gone through stigma at some point? In 2019, it was reported in the media that a 14-year-old girl from Kibera took her own life after a teacher allegedly branded her 'dirty' for having her period in class. Female parliamentarians were on the frontline condemning the incident, pushing for a campaign against period shaming and access to menstrual products.

When nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba went to Parliament wearing trousers that were 'period-stained', many criticised her bold move as taboo and indecency, ignoring her objective; to curb period shaming and lobby for free sanitary pads. This propels Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights for girls and women.

Let's face it. Condoms are free of charge, but no equal priority is given to sanitary pads. The grim face of drought in Kenya has seen households lack basic needs, among them dignity packs for adolescent girls and women. The priority is food, water or pasture and not sanitary pads, leaving girls with shame that could affect their mental health.

A recent Rapid Gender Analysis by Plan International in some parts of Kwale and Marsabit counties indicated that meeting the menstrual hygiene needs of women is a critical sexual reproductive health right.

In Marsabit County, mentioned needs include the use of disposable pads reported by 19.7 per cent of the respondents, reusable cloths (13.3 per cent), soap (26.8 per cent) and underwear (21.3 per cent) and washing and disposable facilities (18.4 per cent).

The survey established that 40 per cent of women of reproductive age do not have their menstrual hygiene needs met. In Kwale County, only 11 per cent use disposal pads, 12 per cent use reusable clothes and 43 per cent can barely afford soap and underpants.

This is alarming as women are the highest affected by infections such as the urinary tract infections.

The Menstrual Hygiene Management Strategy 2019-2024 provides a framework for policy implementation, providing clear roles and responsibilities. Women and girls should have access to improved menstrual hygiene where safe and comprehensive menstrual waste management is widely practiced, leading to improved wellbeing and full realisation of life.

While the government supplies free sanitary pads to public schools, other organisations such as Plan International provide dignity kits as a supplementary need under the school-feeding programmes in its disaster risk management programmes, targeting needy schools, especially in arid and semi-arid lands.

There is need for increased government funding for free sanitary pads and provision of sufficient female hygiene products in all public schools.

State, non-state actors and individuals like you and I should collaborate to raise awareness of menstrual hygiene issues and support our women and girls in realising their reproductive rights.

Let us change the narrative and misconception, and collectively say no to period shaming.