Zack Lenawamuro talking to the girls of Father John Memorial, educating the girls on importance of menstrual hygiene. Photo: Courtesy.
More than 80 girls from Father John Memorial Primary School in Marsabit, received sanitary pads from Caritas Organisation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), during the marking of World Menstrual Hygiene Day today.
Joining the girls to mark the day, Qabale Boru, an officer from Caritas Organization, were urged Marsabit County Health Department, and NGOs to share with the girls and women in the county on the importance of menstrual hygiene.
According to Boru, the situation is dire in the villages and remote areas of Marsabit county, that needs a lot of education on menstrual hygiene, as a huge population is not educated.
“There are uneducated women and girls in the remote areas of Marsabit, who have no understanding and Knowledge on how to clean themselves and maintain hygiene during menstruation. These people need that knowledge not only from NGOs, but also hospitals. I will urge us all to move in these needy areas and provide this vital information,” she urged.
Qabale further explained the perceived challenges that girls and women from Marsabit County experience during menstruation, including water shortage crisis. She stated that after failing to properly clean themselves, the girls are exposed to the risk of getting infections, as well as high levels of poverty, leading to difficulty in purchasing sanitary towels.
“The biggest challenge comes when there is failure to access clean water for the girls and women to clean themselves, this exposes them to infections. Additionally, the poverty index in Marsabit is very high, making it difficult for a majority of women to purchase sanitary towels,” she further explained.
Zack Lenawamuro Caritas Communications Officer, stated that Caritas Organisation is spearheading a project to empower girls from pastoralist communities, with the project aimed to provide solutions to the challenges experienced by girls from pastoralist community during menstruation, including dropping out of school.
“So many girls drop out of school because of the issue that can be avoided, like lack of mentorship within the school. Additionally, girls from vulnerable communities are easily exploited during their periods to access sanitary towels and cover the shame, while others keep off from school to avoid the shame of the overflow,” Lenawamuro explained.
This year’s theme ” Together for a Period Friendly World,” which highlights the importance of creating a safe and respectful environment for girls and women during menstruation, along with a shared commitment to eliminating the stigma associated with menstruation.
