Tharaka Nithi Woman Representative Susan Ngugi has initiated the Free Sanitary Towels Program in the county, aiming to enhance menstrual hygiene awareness and ensure menstrual equity, aligning with the government’s agenda to provide all girls with access to menstrual products.
At the event held at the County Commissioner’s office in Kathwana, Igambang’ombe Sub-County, Ngugi praised the transfer of sanitary towels procurement from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Gender. She credited President William Ruto for prioritizing menstrual hygiene in his administration.
“This initiative was previously under the Ministry of Education. We advocated for its transfer to the Ministry of Gender. Now, each primary school girl will receive eight packets of sanitary pads, each containing eight towels,” Ngugi stated.
The Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts, and Heritage reported that the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action has allocated KShs 876 million to distribute sanitary towels to over 2 million girls in public primary, junior, and special schools nationwide.
In Tharaka Nithi, 191,288 sanitary towels were allocated for distribution. The breakdown per sub-county is as follows:
- Igambang’ombe: 22,640 pads for 2,830 girls in 69 schools
- Muthambi: 28,272 pads for 3,534 girls in 90 schools
- Tharaka South: 25,224 pads for 3,153 girls in 6 schools
- Tharaka North: 28,264 pads for 3,533 girls in 62 schools
- Maara: 34,840 pads for 4,355 girls in 62 schools
- Chuka: 33,008 pads for 4,126 girls in 84 schools
- Chiakariga: 19,040 pads for 2,380 girls in 48 schools
Ngugi emphasized the need for additional funding to extend the program to secondary school girls and disadvantaged women in the community. “We are advocating for more funds to include secondary school girls, young mothers, and street families. We will collaborate with all government sectors to support these girls and combat period poverty,” she said.
County Commissioner David Gitonga highlighted the impact of insufficient menstrual hygiene products on girls’ education, noting that many girls skip school during their menstrual cycles. He pledged support to ensure all school-going girls receive the necessary menstrual kits.
Gitonga also pointed out that period poverty often leads to transactional sex for pads, contributing to high teen pregnancy rates. “We are pleased that Woman Representatives, through the Ministry of Gender, are fulfilling their promise to provide free sanitary pads. Every financial year, we will ensure that every girl has access to sanitary pads,” he assured.
Igambang’ombe Sub-County Director of Education Daniel Waringa and Gender Officer Mary Mugambi echoed that the menstrual hygiene program would reduce absenteeism and school dropouts.
