Seven Rotary Clubs Join Hands For Menstrual Hygiene Project in Marsabit

By Asha Tume
The Rotary Clubs of Kikuyu, Nyeri, Laikipia-Highlanders, Nairobi Muthaiga North, Embu, Isiolo, and Marsabit Central combined their efforts for a sanitary pad project in Kenya’s second largest County, Marsabit, which is largely a semi-arid region with a high rate of poverty.

The project targets five schools with a total of 1,200 girls. The program will run for one year and in the first term of the academic calendar, the clubs distributed sanitary pads and provided menstrual hygiene education to 400 girls.

Access to menstrual hygiene products is indeed a fundamental right that should be available to all individuals. Unfortunately, many marginalized populations, particularly girls and women from low-income families, face significant challenges in accessing and affording these essential products. This lack of access can have detrimental effects on their health, education opportunities and social well-being.

“By providing free sanitary pads to those who cannot afford them, our goal is to help them manage their menstrual health in a dignified manner and improve their overall well-being,’’ according to the seven Rotary Clubs.

In addition to the pad distribution, the clubs will conduct educational training sessions on managing menstrual hygiene. The sessions will emphasize proper handling and disposal procedures, as well as dispel common misconceptions and taboos surrounding menstruation.

The expected benefits of the project include improved menstrual hygiene management for marginalized girls and women, increased school attendance and improved academic performance among girls, enhanced awareness and reduction of stigma related to menstruation, empowerment and increased self-esteem among beneficiaries, and strengthened community support and engagement on menstrual health issues.