Saturday 24 January 2015

Menstruation still a major contributing factor to school absenteeism among girls



Menstruation is still the main contributing factor of absenteeism and poor academic performance among school going girls.

It is not only a health concern, but also an educational policy concern and has become a key factor in the country’s bid to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of eliminating gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2015.

A 2014 survey by Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Health Education Africa Resource (HEART) revealed that despite many corporate companies and the government coming to the aid of needy girls in provision of sanitary protection a 42 per cent of girls interviewed still do not use sanitary towels.

This is as a result of lack of access to the necessary commodity due to high cost implications. They use other items such as panties (during their menstruation the girls wear more than one panty), blankets/rags/mattress pieces, handkerchiefs, tissues paper and cotton wool. 

Another 60 per cent of the population that has been able to receive sanitary protection though aid organisations do not have panties. 15 per cent of those who own panties use them as a way of managing their menstruation. It is hence important for aid organisations and other well-wishers to include at least 3 panties in their distribution processes to match up the need.

Commenting on the situation, P&G’s Communication Manager Irene Mwathi- Miheso noted: “Through the Always keeping girls in school program which was initiated in 2006 we have managed to provide vulnerable, adolescent girls with the education and product (sanitary towels and under panties) needed to successfully manage their periods. The program which initially reached 15,000 girls in 2006 has reached 85,000 girls in May of 2013 with an aim of reaching a further 10,000 girls by May of 2014.”

P&G through the Always brand recognizes that although there is a big effort to supply girls with pads, the need is still great and hence is encouraging other corporates and organizations to come on board.

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