Over 500 school girls in Saboti get free sanitary towels courtesy of county, Ampath Uzima partnership

More than 500 school girls from seven primary schools in Saboti sub county have benefitted from free sanitary towels courtesy of a partnership between USAID Ampath Uzima and the county government of Trans Nzoia.

In an event to mark World Menstrual Day held at Matisi Primary school on Friday, several partners among them Community Based Organizations donated sanitary towels to the vulnerable teens.

Speaking at the event, County school health coordinator Anne Limo noted that a number of school going girls dropped out of school due to the embarrassment they face whenever on their periods but luck the towels.

She pointed out that efforts had beenade to support the girls, moreso those needy and vulnerable, to get the sanitary towels but they were still not adequate just as she called for more well-wishers to chip in.

She advocated for more sensitization programs on menstrual hygiene among the young girls citing that it is not a matter to be shameful of but rather a natural occurrence that should be treated with much regard.

The officer called on school administrators to ensure there were enough abolition blocks in their institutions for the girls to get adequate private space to change their pads whenever there was need.

County Director of Public Health Nobert Musundi emphasized the need to propagate information on menstrual hygiene citing that statistics indicated 65 percent of Kenyan girls cannot afford to acquire the pads.

Describing himself as a mental hygiene champion, Musundi challenged fellow men and boys to emulate him and help end stigma associated with the experience, particularly when the girls missed the vital commodities.

Anne Kipsuto of USAID Ampath Uzima hailed the partner organizations for joining efforts to promote menstrual hygiene through provision of the sanitary towels to the vulnerable girls especially those from underprivileged homes.

She reiterated the theme of the day, making menstruation a normal thing, and advised men to consider itemizing sanitary towels for the women in their lives on their budgets as a support on menstrual hygiene.

Ms Kipsito noted that women and girls who do not afford the towels opt to use unhygienic material which pose health dangers to their lives as they risk contracting diseases, some which are infectious.