By Erick Nyayiera
As the country fight the deadly virus, girls in Siaya County continue to live in anguish due to lack of sanitary towels.
Observing the situation, Siaya County Women Rep Dr. Christine Ombaka said many schoolgirls in the county depended on various organizations for free supply of sanitary towels but the program ceased when schools were shut to avert the spread of Coronavirus.
Dr. Ombaka said that most girls hail from poor families who cannot afford to buy sanitary towels and at the same time feed themselves especially during this period of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The legislator stated that the country risks losing the gains it had made in the fight against unplanned pregnancies since many girls may resort to engaging in sexual activities in exchange for the towels.
“There is a need to support school-going girls to accesses sanitary towels even at the time they are at home as a result of Covid-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Ombaka.
However, Dr. Ombaka vowed to work with various stakeholders responsible for the distribution of Covid-19 relief food to give sanitary towels to girls from vulnerable families in the county.
While speaking in Rarieda where she was issuing 2000 pieces of hand sanitizers to Boda Boda operators and a bale of sanitary pads to the girls from less fortunate families, Dr. Ombaka said that she will appeal to NGOs and other stakeholders to support girls during the pandemic period.
Elsewhere, in Bondo, the government through the Ministry of Education has been asked to find a way of providing for the needs of school girls to combat the high rate of teenage pregnancies in the country.
MCA for North Sakwa Ward in Bondo constituency Mrs. Lorna Adida said that the government needs to think aloud and find a way of enhancing access to sanitary towels.
Speaking during a sensitization program organized by ‘Make Impact Foundation’ she suggested that since schools are still closed, the Ministry Education can liaise with school heads and find a way through which they can give sanitary towels to prevent girls from getting into the traps of malicious men.
