Nyamira: Nyamira County Women Representative Jerusha Momanyi has launched the distribution of sanitary towels to all girls in primary and junior secondary school (JSS) in the county at Tonga DEB primary school in Nyamaiya ward to promote menstrual hygiene for girls.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative is critical in helping girls from vulnerable homes who might miss school due to the inability to afford these essential personal hygiene products during their menstrual cycles and to ensure they maintain hygiene and dignity.
Jerusha emphasized the importance of supporting teenage girls during their menstrual cycles, encouraging them to avoid premarital unprotected sex to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, which could disrupt their education and future career aspirations. She further advised against shaming girls for menstrual accidents, highlighting the normalcy of menstruation.
The county director for education, Joshua Kaga, reminded head teachers to ensure that only eligible girls benefit from the programme and to address emergencies promptly to maintain the girls’ hygiene and dignity. Nyamira South Sub County Deputy County Commissioner Florence Obunga warned against the illegal sale of sanitary towels, emphasizing that the programme aims to keep girls in school and help them manage their menstrual cycles confidently.
The distribution included 146,800 packets of sanitary towels for girls in primary and junior secondary schools. Additionally, Jerusha issued cheques to registered youth groups for business support and provided a maize milling machine to Masosa widows to help them generate income. She pledged ongoing support for youth and women startups, aiming to empower community members economically.
