MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS VS CONDOMS.
I remember going to the shop to purchase sanitary towels and the shopkeeper would wrap it with so many newspapers it was as if nobody was supposed to see me with it. For some reason I felt like this was to be a top secret and it was a shame for people to spot me walking with it unhidden. This is a story for another day… A happy Menstrual Hygiene Day to all of us who get to experience this beautiful Phenomenal.
Menstrual Hygiene day is a global advocacy platform for non- profit organization, Private organization, media and gov’t agencies who come together to promote menstrual hygiene. According to UNICEF 1.8Billion people menstruate every month this is inclusive of Women, Transgender men and girls.
In Kenya alone 1.2Million girls are forced to stay at home during their period because they do not access sanitary towels. Some women have to choose between fending for their family or purchasing Menstrual products. This is minus the stigma that comes with menstruation.
Only half of Kenyan girls discuss menstruation openly. The rest use figures of speech or coded language. It’s time we have these conversations and talk about it the same way we talk of other topic. Am I the only one who is tired of having cramps and I have to tell people it’s a stomach upset???
Some girls opt to use old clothes and some even share sanitary towels despite of several warnings from their teachers they might contract diseases.
Wilkisa Nyabura a journalist from Citizen TV Kenya did a story (Sex for pads) of how girls where engaging in sex to get money for sanitary towels. It was hard for me to watch it but sadly this is the reality. I am aware that the government started a program to distribute pads to school girls but some people have messed this up and only a few schools still distribute them. However once schools are closed the struggle begins all over.
In 2010 Scotland became the first country in the world to make sanitary products (Sanitary towels, tampons, panty liner and menstrual cups) free this was spearheaded by Monica Lennon in her campaign to tackle Period Poverty. Perhaps we need more “Monica’s’” in African Governments as well.
Dropping taxes on menstrual products is a nice way to start however so much more can be done. We have come a long way in fighting this and there is still room to do more and completely eradicate period poverty.
60 Condom dispensers were issued at Huduma Centers around the Country 52 of them to be precise in our 47 counties in 2018. Even in Hospitals and Public colleges and Universities there are condoms and can easily be accessed. All this are efforts that are being made to Prevent STI and STD and reduce the infection rate of HIV/AIDS.
It would be such a relief to millions of girls in Kenya if the same was to be done for sanitary towels.
Think about it both condoms and sanitary towels are classified as personal care items and sex is actually a choice and Menstruation is not; it will happen with or without a sanitary towels. I believe every person undergoing menstruation needs to see it as a blessing and not a burden or a curse.
How about we have Sanitary towel dispensers in Huduma center as well, in Hospitals, High schools and primary school, colleges and universities.
Lastly a big thank you to all the men, women and organizations that are pushing and working both in front and behind the scene to end period poverty and to bring this conversations on the table.
Keep doing what you do it because of you that many girls get to walk with their heads held high and hope for a brighter future.
