Loreng: At least 40 girls aged 11-15 years in Loreng, Letea ward in Turkana West Sub County received menstrual hygiene kits from Plan International on Monday. The donation, aimed at enhancing the hygiene of young girls, included sanitary towels, undergarments, sanitizers, tissues, handwashing detergents, and body lotions.
According to Kenya News Agency, the girls were also trained on how to use both reusable and disposable sanitary towels. The recipients expressed their joy, noting that the support not only provided essential hygiene kits but also contributed to reducing stigma by fostering open discussions about menstruation as a normal reproductive process.
The cultural taboo surrounding menstruation in the community has often led to trauma among the girls, contributing to high illiteracy levels and discrimination against women and girls. Lilian Napus, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her gratitude for the sanitary towels, highlighting the training on their use and hygienic disposal.
These initiatives are part of Plan International's climate-proofing water sanitation and hygiene services program, which supports 86 women and girls among pastoralist communities in the Letea ward. Alice Eregae, responsible for community health services in the sub county, praised the provision of reusable sanitary towels, citing their cost-effectiveness and longer usability compared to disposable ones.
Eregae emphasized the importance of proper hygiene, advising girls to change towels at least three times a day. She also encouraged the trained girls to educate their peers and urged them to request sanitary towels from their parents, including their fathers, who often serve as the main breadwinners.
David Lotum, Gender Officer at Plan International, stated that the intervention aims to tackle menstruation stigma, provide essential hygiene kits amidst poverty, and raise public awareness on menstrual hygiene management. Pauline Njoroge, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Advisor at Plan International, reaffirmed the organization's commitment to promoting menstrual hygiene and addressing cultural norms and poor hygiene infrastructure.
Joachim Kamulenya, chief of Loreng location, expressed gratitude to Plan International for educating children to end menstruation stigma and providing essential hygiene kits. He also requested more reusable sanitary towels due to their cost-effectiveness and longevity, and urged for life skills training for girls to improve their livelihoods post-education.
Turkana West Public Health Officer Lumbasi Rapando supported the use of reusable sanitary towels, noting their role in addressing waste disposal challenges. He acknowledged the community's initial resistance to reusable towels, which has since shifted to acceptance following sensitization efforts. Rapando also highlighted the involvement of men in menstrual hygiene discussions, acknowledging the detrimental impact of silence on menstruation, which has often led to girls missing school during their periods.