But even as we celebrate women and their achievements, we recognise that many women and girls continue to face challenges in meeting basic needs, including biological functions such as menstruation management. A majority of girls in Kenya – 58 per cent in rural areas and 53 per cent in urban areas – cannot afford sanitary pads. This lack of access to sanitary hygiene products hinders the girls from realising their full potential as many stay away from school during their menstrual flow period. They include women like TV personality Janet Mbugua, who through her non-profit organisation Inua Dada, has been championing menstrual hygiene for women and girls in vulnerable communities hit hard by the pandemic. Significant barriers to high-quality menstrual hygiene management persist across Kenya and remain a particular challenge for low-income women and girls.

Source: The Star March 08, 2021 00:56 UTC