Kisii Woman Rep Dorice Donya Launches Sanitary Pad Donation Initiative To Aid Schoolgirls
The Mt Kenya Times 
Kisii Woman Rep Dorice Donya launches sanitary towels initiative at Kenyenya Kisii County. Photo /Elizabeth Angira
By Elizabeth Angira
Worth Noting:
- Donya stressed that inadequate menstrual hygiene affects every facet of a young girl’s life, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
- “Many girls grapple with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and social isolation. These consequences hinder the realization of their full potential,” she said.
- Ruth Moraa, a parent whose daughter is a beneficiary of the sanitary towels, shared her challenges. She explained that the escalating cost of living makes it impossible for her to purchase sanitary towels for herself and her two daughters, forcing her to resort to using rags as a makeshift alternative.
- Living on a zero budget, she struggles to afford basic necessities like food.
Millions of women and girls around the world face stigma, exclusion, and discrimination simply because they menstruate and lack access to sanitary towels. This natural bodily function should not prevent women and girls from getting an education, earning an income, or fully participating in everyday life.
Kisii Woman Representative Dorice Donya has launched a sanitary pad donation initiative through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).
Speaking at Kenyenya during the launch, she highlighted the critical role of promoting menstrual hygiene in safeguarding the dignity of girls.
Donya emphasized that the lack of access to adequate menstrual hygiene products disproportionately affects young girls, particularly those from financially vulnerable backgrounds.
She lamented the alarming statistics of school absenteeism and dropout rates among this demographic, attributing it significantly to the inability to afford sanitary towels.
The initiative aims to address this issue by providing menstrual hygiene products to young girls, especially those facing economic hardships.
Donya stressed that inadequate menstrual hygiene affects every facet of a young girl’s life, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
“Many girls grapple with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and social isolation. These consequences hinder the realization of their full potential,” she said.
Ruth Moraa, a parent whose daughter is a beneficiary of the sanitary towels, shared her challenges. She explained that the escalating cost of living makes it impossible for her to purchase sanitary towels for herself and her two daughters, forcing her to resort to using rags as a makeshift alternative.
Living on a zero budget, she struggles to afford basic necessities like food.
Moraa lauded Donya for the donation, believing it would greatly alleviate the struggles faced by women and girls in similar circumstances.
Donya announced that the distribution of sanitary towels would occur over three consecutive days, ensuring girls have access to the necessary resources to manage their menstrual hygiene effectively, thus reducing the risk of absenteeism and dropout rates.
Parents have praised the initiative, recognizing its profound impact on the lives of vulnerable young girls. They commended the unwavering commitment to fostering a more equitable society, where every child, regardless of gender or socioeconomic status, has the opportunity to thrive.
County Director of Education Phillip Chirchir remarked that the initiative symbolizes a beacon of hope and empowerment for young girls.
“With each sanitary towel distributed, a seed of change is sown, promising a brighter, more inclusive future for generations to come,” he said.
Chirchir added that investing in the empowerment of young girls is an investment in the promise of a better tomorrow and assured that they would ensure the smooth running of the exercise.
According to the World Health Organization, only 39% of schools worldwide provide menstrual health education. This percentage increases in secondary schools, with 84% of secondary schools in Central and Southern Asia providing menstrual education, compared to 34% in primary schools.
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