Teenage girls have been challenged to use locally available materials to make sanitary pads while they await support from the government and other organizations.
According to Siaya County Government’s Director of Gender, Mrs Miada Nyawade, young girls should explore innovative ways of making their own sanitary towels at home instead of relying solely on external support.
Speaking during Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrations at St. Alloyce Mbosie Secondary School in Ugunja sub-county, Mrs Nyawade stated that by making their own pads, girls will be able to avoid over reliance on donations and exploitation.
She added that the County Government of Siaya is committed to addressing gender equality and women empowerment issues by reviewing policies to better protect women and children, particularly young girls.
The celebration was organised by the Ugunja Development Initiative (UDI), a girls’ rights organisation.
UDI’s Executive Director, Isaiah Ochieng’, emphasised the need for proper legal frameworks to protect young girls.
Ochieng’ noted that just as there is a policy for allocating county bursaries, there should be one to allocate funds for sanitary pads for girls in primary and secondary schools.
UDI’s Programmes Coordinator, Ms Ruth Atieno, called for open conversations about menstruation to end stigma and discrimination among adolescent girls during their monthly periods.
She emphasised that parents should educate both girls and boys about menstruation as a natural occurrence, which should not be used to intimidate young girls.
