Over 100 girls at Nyeri’s Thunguri Primary receive free sanitary towels

Grade 6 to 8 girls at Thunguri Primary School in Othaya receive sanitary towels from the Kui Kibaki Foundation.

One hundred and twenty girls in Grades 6 to 8 at Thunguri Primary School in Othaya have received free sanitary towels from the Kui Kibaki Foundation.

According to the Foundation’s Director, Wangui Kibaki, the initiative aims to combat the widespread problem of girls missing school due to lack of access to sanitary towels, a reality that leads to significant absenteeism and, in many cases, school dropout.

“Many girls are forced to stay home during their periods because their families cannot afford sanitary towels. They feel ashamed and embarrassed to come to school, so they miss out on crucial learning time. We have given free sanitary towels to 120 girls in grades 6 to 8, with each girl receiving 5 packets, I want to follow Kibaki’s footsteps in ensuring that every child has access to education, now the girls can focus on their studies instead of worrying about how to manage their periods” she said.

Wangui cited data from the Ministry of Education which reveals that a girl who misses school for four days in 28 days (month) loses 13 learning days, which is equivalent to two weeks of learning per term, meaning that in one academic year (nine months), a girl loses a total of 39 learning days, which translates to six weeks of learning time.

She said that empowering girls through education is crucial for Kenya’s future development, yet the lack of access to sanitary products remains a significant barrier.

“The financial strain on low-income families compounds the problem, parents struggle to provide for basic needs, let alone afford sanitary products for their daughters. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps these girls from reaching their full potential,” she said.

Wangui noted that by providing free sanitary towels, these girls will have a chance to stay in school and reach their full potential.

The Director called on the government to take urgent action to reduce the cost of sanitary towels and make them available to all girls, especially those in public school as access to menstrual products is a basic right that directly impacts girls’ education, health, and dignity.

“Access to sanitary towels should not be a privilege, it should be a right for every girl. We urge the government to take immediate steps to reduce the cost of these essential products and ensure they are available in all schools. This is an investment in the future of our girls and the prosperity of our nation,” she said.

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Grace Ritho, a teacher at the school said that lack of access to these essential products has long been a challenge, contributing to high absenteeism and affecting the academic performance of many girls. With this donation, the girls will now be able to attend school more consistently, improving their chances of academic success and personal growth.

“This initiative has brought immense relief to our girls and their families. It will enable them to stay in school without the fear or embarrassment of missing classes due to their periods. I am hopeful that this will be the beginning of a brighter future for these girls, where education is no longer disrupted by menstrual challenges,” she said.

The survey by the Ministry of Education shows that 42% of Kenyan school girls have never used sanitary pads and instead use alternatives such as rags, blankets, pieces of mattress, tissue paper and cotton wool.

In the 2023/24 budget, the government doubled the allocation from the previous financial year’s Ksh470 million to distribute free sanitary pads to primary school girls.

By Kiarie Macharia

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