Sanitary Towels Boost School Attendance in Kiambu County

Campaigns to advance menstrual health and protect the dignity of female students have gained significant traction in Kiambu County, highlighted by a sanitary towel launch event at Kiambu Primary School.
This program, spearheaded by Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha, reflects the increasing acknowledgment of menstrual health as a fundamental component in improving educational access and decreasing female student absenteeism.
The event, presided over by Wamuratha and joined by school administrators, educators, parent representatives, and students, marked the beginning of sanitary towel distribution to female students. The initiative included educational sessions on menstrual hygiene and confidence-building exercises designed to combat stigma and empower young women.
Addressing attendees, Wamuratha highlighted that supporting female student welfare directly leads to improved educational achievements and community progress. “When we uphold the dignity of our young women, we safeguard their aspirations and capabilities,” she stated, encouraging students to concentrate on their education and embrace adolescence with self-assurance.
Limited access to menstrual products continues to be a primary factor in school absenteeism, often termed period poverty. Through the regular supply of sanitary towels, this initiative aims to remove obstacles that impede continuous learning, improve scholastic achievement, and foster gender equality in academic settings.
School leadership embraced this intervention, noting that dependable access to menstrual hygiene products stabilizes attendance and allows female students to engage completely in classroom activities. Educators also promoted open conversation about menstrual health to dismantle long-standing cultural taboos and create a supportive campus atmosphere.
For numerous students, the distribution provided comfort and confidence, enhancing feelings of belonging and self-respect. This effort aligns with wider county objectives to enhance child well-being and advance educational results by confronting practical issues that immediately impact classroom engagement.
As Kiambu persists in advocating for female student welfare, stakeholders assert that menstrual health support transcends being merely a compassionate measure, representing instead a strategic commitment to equal opportunities, better retention statistics, and the advancement of the upcoming cohort of young women.
By Clifford Chomba,