Siaya: Lack of sustainable access to sanitary towels by school-going girls remains a barrier to menstrual health initiatives in Siaya county. Consequently, sustainable access to sanitary towels among schoolgirls in the area remains a mirage despite numerous pad donation interventions to schools, the County Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga has revealed.
According to Kenya News Agency, sustainable access to the crucial towels in local schools can easily be achieved by establishing a sanitary towel manufacturing plant in the region. Speaking during celebrations to mark the International Day of the Girl Child at Akoko Secondary in Bondo, the Senator disclosed that the previous county regime led by former Governor Cornel Rasanga had plans for the sanitary towel factory, but the anticipated deal between the county and the Korean Government fell through on a technicality.
'Rasanga and I visited Korea, where we went to source an investor to come and invest in a sanitary towel production company in Siaya County, but midway through the agreement, we discovered that the foreign company could not enter into a joint venture with us, forcing us to shelve the deal,' he said. However, the senator assured that he was going to work with the current Governor, James Orengo, to ensure that the plan is revived and implemented to address concerns about sustainable access to sanitary towels for schoolgirls.
'This is a noble idea that I am willing to push and ensure that the county government implements for the benefit of our girls,' he said. Oburu, who donated over 5000 sanitary towels to girls at Akoko Secondary School, warned both boys and girls against engaging in premarital sex that results in high cases of early pregnancies being recorded in the county, saying it would jeopardize their future.
On the contrary, the senator underscored the need for members of the society to protect the interests of the girl child by ensuring they get education and avoid early pregnancy for them to contribute to the economic growth of the country.