Women Members of Parliament under the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) have today renewed their call for robust efforts to advance menstrual health and hygiene across the country, with a special focus on reproductive health rights for girls and women.
In a high-level roundtable meeting held in Nairobi, the legislators engaged key partners including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Ministry of Health, and the International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH) Kenya. The forum aimed to forge stronger partnerships to enhance access to menstrual hygiene products and services.
The women lawmakers underscored the urgency of consistent budget allocations, inter-agency collaboration, and greater accountability to ensure that no girl is forced to miss school or suffer indignity due to lack of menstrual products.
They lauded Senator Gloria Orwoba for sponsoring the Provision of Sanitary Towels Bill, 2024, which seeks to institutionalize the free and quality provision of sanitary towels in all public schools and health facilities nationwide.
“If passed, the Bill will be a game changer for menstrual justice in Kenya,” said Nairobi Woman Representative Hon. Esther Passaris.
The forum also served as a platform to introduce the “Flow with Pride Campaign”, an initiative by UNFPA supported by the Embassy of Denmark, aimed at eliminating period stigma and promoting menstrual dignity for all girls.
UNFPA Representative Anders Thomsen called for investment in local production of sanitary towels, arguing it would significantly lower costs and improve accessibility.
Findings from the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) were cited, showing that 65 percent of girls in rural areas and 52 percent in urban areas struggle to access sanitary products, often leading to missed school days.
Dr. Jackline Kisia of the Ministry of Health advocated for expanding the sanitary towel distribution program beyond primary and secondary schools to include tertiary institutions, as proposed by a Parliamentary Committee in 2023.
“Why do girls deserve dignity during school sessions only? Does poverty go on holidays?” she posed.
In her closing remarks, KEWOPA Vice Chairperson and Dagoretti North MP Hon. Beatrice Elachi expressed gratitude to development partners for their continued support in addressing menstrual poverty.
“We thank UNFPA, JHPIEGO, the Ministry of Health, and other partners for walking with us on this important journey to make menstruation manageable for every Kenyan girl,” she said