Martha’s story resonates with at least 65 per cent of girls and women in the country, who, according to World Bank, cannot afford a steady supply of sanitary pads. A 2016 report by Unesco revealed one out of 10 girls in sub-Saharan Africa miss school every day due to lack of sanitary pads. This means Treasury has to spare at least Sh150 million in one year to give them a golden handshake. A 2014 study by the British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research indicated that a woman uses at least 17,000 sanitary pads in her lifetime. A standard packet of sanitary pads in local stores contains eight pieces, retailing at Sh80.

Source: The Star February 01, 2019 20:15 UTC