This archive report was first published on 11 September 2019.
On September 6, 2019, a 14-year-old girl from Kabiangek Primary School in Konoin Constituency tragically lost her life after being humiliated by a teacher for soiling her dress during menstruation.
According to her mother, Beatrice Chepkurui, her daughter's periods began in class that day, and she had nothing to use as a pad. When the blood stained her clothes, she was told to leave the classroom and stand outside.
Her mother and relatives claim that the teacher's inhumane treatment led to her daughter's decision to take her own life. 'It was very inhumane for the teacher to humiliate her, and that is the reason she hung herself. The teacher should take responsibility,' said one of the girl's relatives.
Over 200 parents from the school accompanied Chepkurui in a protest at the institution, condemning the teacher and management for failing to protect the pupil. Police arrested five parents in the ensuing drama at the school.
Learning was brought to a standstill as the twig-carrying and placard-waving parents demanded an explanation from the management of the school. They argued that it was wrong for a teacher to humiliate a girl in the presence of fellow pupils over something as natural as menstruation.
