This archive report was first published on 23 June 2021.
On June 23, 2021, a women's group in Migori County embarked on an initiative to produce and distribute reusable sanitary pads to teenage girls in schools, with the goal of reducing cases of teenage pregnancy and keeping girls in education.
The Jua Kali Women Group, led by chairperson Judith Owuor, aims to make sanitary pads accessible to girls from poor backgrounds, who often miss school due to lack of these essential items.
According to Owuor, the initiative's main objective is to enable teenage girls to concentrate on their education without being distracted by menstrual flows. The group members offer guidance and counseling to the girls on how to use the pads and stay safe from teenage pregnancy.
Speaking during the distribution of sanitary pads to schoolgirls, Migori Primary School Deputy Head Teacher Gladys Achieng' Odongo praised the initiative, saying it has improved the class performance of girls due to increased confidence derived from having sanitary pads available at their convenience.
Men who work as boda boda riders, touts, and taxi drivers have been blamed for the increasing number of cases of teenage pregnancies in various places across the county, with many girls from poor backgrounds being lured into sex in exchange for small gifts or money.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to address the root causes of teenage pregnancy, including poverty and lack of access to education and resources.
By Geoffrey Satia
