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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