Iten: Men in Elgeyo Marakwet County are being urged to break societal taboos and actively participate in reproductive health matters, a move seen as crucial for improving women's health outcomes and educational opportunities for girls.
According to Kenya News Agency, Jonathan Tanui, the county's reproductive health coordinator, highlighted the pervasive stigma around male involvement in reproductive health, particularly regarding menstruation. This stigma has resulted in men, who often control financial resources, neglecting to purchase essential sanitary products for their daughters, adversely impacting their education and future prospects. Tanui emphasized that the lack of sanitary towels forces many girls to miss school during their menstrual periods, hindering their educational progress.
Additionally, Tanui pointed to the troubling trend of teenage pregnancies in the county, attributing it to financial exploitation by men, such as boda boda riders, who offer money for sanitary products in exchange for sexual favors. While efforts have been made to provide sanitary towels to girls in junior secondary schools, Tanui stressed the need for further support for those in senior secondary schools.
Tanui appealed to men to normalize purchasing sanitary towels, equating it to buying any other household product, and urged them to support their partners during pregnancy by ensuring access to necessary medical services. The Department of Health, he added, will continue its efforts to educate men on their vital role in reproductive health, challenging existing taboos within the community.