By John Majau
Leaders in Isiolo County have raised concerns over the high number of girls who cannot afford sanitary towels on a regular basis, making them miss school, and have called on the national government to urgently intervene.
They said the worrying trend may put the girls at the risk of either skipping classes during menstruation or getting lured into having sex in exchange for the provisions.
They now want the government to urgently intervene by offering the sanitary towels to all the girls noting the exercise should be given prominence just like the feeding program.
Isiolo County Woman Representative, Mumina Bonaya, said the fate of thousands of girls who cannot afford sanitary towels on a regular basis is putting them in a risky situation.
“They risk either skipping classes during menstruation or getting lured into having sex in exchange for the provisions.
While it is crucial for the government to upscale food distribution to schools in counties affected by drought, provision of sanitary towels should also be prioritized to ensure retention and achievement of the 100 per cent transition policy,” said the Woman Representative.
Ms Bonaya claimed President William Ruto had okayed a decision to shift the Ministry of Education sanitary towels programme to the office of the women representatives for efficiency.
She was speaking while distributing 10,000 reusable sanitary towels to Grade Five, Grade Six and Junior Secondary Learners donated by the Lay Volunteers International Organization.
The exercise targeting schools across the county started at Mwangaza, St Kizito and Bulampya Primary Schools.
County Director of Education, Caroline Mugo, appealed to other partners to help upscale provision of sanitary towels to ensure the girls are comfortable while in school and have sufficient contact with the teachers for better learning.
Ms Mugo said learners yet to join Form One and Junior Secondary School were being tracked to ensure they are in school in line with the government’s transition policy.
“Apart from the school feeding programme, we are working with other partners to offer water and we are also allowing food for fees to make sure no learner stays at home,” she said.
