Women Representative launches sanitary pad giveaway program

By Kevin Barasa

Siaya County Women Representative, Christine Ombaka, has initiated a sanitary pad giveaway program aimed at combating early marriages and sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers in the Lake region devolved unit.

The initiative, Ombaka revealed, was prompted by the soaring number of primary school girls dropping out, due to a lack of sanitary pads.

In a phone interview on Monday, Ombaka expressed regret that 5000 primary level learners had dropped out of school in the near past, due to lack of sanitary pads.

The county MP stated that the sanitary pad giveaway program will enable students from humble backgrounds to stay in school, through the school calendar.

The program, the third term legislature said, aims at reaching over 600 primary schools in Siaya, from grade five to grade eight. Each pupil will receive seven packets of sanitary pads, enough to last them for the entire year.

She mentioned that besides her office distributing sanitary pads, she will use the opportunity to educate young girls about sexual reproductive health.

“Information about menstruation is important. Young girls need to understand why they are experiencing it so they don’t fall victim to biological progress,” said Ombaka.

Ombaka insisted that young girls must be aware of the dangers of premature sexual behaviours, to understand the risks they face if they engage in sexual activities recklessly.

“Many girls will elope and get married in a very orthodox manner just because of unexpected pregnancy that is caused by lack of access to sanitary pads due to financial challenges.”

The MP cited lack of sanitary pads as a hindrance to young girls’ school performance, owing to the fact that they spend a lot of time outside school seeking solutions.

“Our girls stay away from school during their menstrual period, giving the boys an advantage due to their absenteeism, to perform better in schools than girls,” Ombaka regretted.

She added that the program seeks to prevent such absences, mentioning that there is no reason a girl should stay at home for a week just because of her menstrual cycle.