Turkana: The Turkana County Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Days for Girls Kenya to enhance access to menstrual and postpartum health services for up to 4,000 women and girls in Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee settings over the next three years.
According to Kenya News Agency, the partnership aims to tackle period poverty by providing reusable, custom-made menstrual and postpartum kits and promoting menstrual health education and positive social attitudes towards menstruation. Days for Girls Kenya, affiliated with Days for Girls International, is committed to advancing menstrual equity, health, and dignity, while advocating for policies to eradicate period poverty.
Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus represented the County Government in signing the agreement, while Country Programme Manager Annette Muchendiza signed for Days for Girls Kenya. The ceremony was attended by Ekal Lokoruka, Director for Litigation, Legal Audit, and Compliance, representing the Office of the County Attorney.
The agreement outlines an initial six-month phase where the organization will distribute custom-made menstrual and postpartum kits to 2,426 women and girls in the refugee community. Additionally, 800 postpartum mothers from the host community will benefit from the initiative. Dr. Erus emphasized the importance of collaborating with existing county coordination structures for effective program implementation, directing the organization to engage with the County Steering Group (CSG).
Muchendiza emphasized the organization’s objective to ensure women and girls maintain their dignity despite menstruation or postpartum challenges. The program will also focus on societal perception change through community training and awareness to promote positive attitudes towards menstrual and postpartum health.
Over the next three years, the project will gather data to inform future interventions, deliver health education using a recognized curriculum, and advocate for integrating menstrual and postpartum health programs into humanitarian efforts. The initiative aims to bolster collaboration between the county government and humanitarian partners to improve the health, dignity, and well-being of women and girls.
The MoU signing was witnessed by various stakeholders, including Gladys Arika, Director of KISEDP Clinical Services; Imoit Seamus Ekuwam, Director of KISEDP Education and Social Protection; Mike Aupe, Deputy Director for Partnerships; and Simon Mobegi, Menstrual Health Educator at Days for Girls Kenya.
