More than 1,500 female students in Kwale County will be recipients of the ‘Achieve More Girl’ programme by Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), which is a long-term initiative designed to support young girls by offering them quality, reusable products for menstrual health.
This year’s collaboration with the Together for Better Foundation aims to equip 6,000 primary and secondary schoolgirls from Kwale, Bungoma, Machakos, and Nakuru counties with sustainable menstrual health kits and hygiene education. The initiative strives to maintain educational access by aiding 1,500 schoolgirls in each county, encompassing a variety of schools, including those for students with disabilities.
This year, the initiative’s inauguration took place at Kwale Girls High on June 5, with the presence of Kwale County Governor Fatuma Mohamed Achani.
DTB Group’s CEO, Nasim Devji, said the bank’s dedication to facilitating uninterrupted and stigma-free education for all schoolgirls, particularly those hailing from underprivileged sectors.
“As a bank driven by our purpose of improving the quality of lives in our local communities, we are happy to be working alongside likeminded partners including our county governments to ensure that we reach as many girls as possible. We envision a world where every girl can learn, play, and safeguard her own health without experiencing stress, shame, or unnecessary barriers to information or supplies during menstruation,” said Devji.
Achani said: “We are proud of these efforts to increase retention of girls in school, as it is in line with wider county government’s efforts to enhance access to quality education in the county as we seek to cultivate a knowledge-based economy.”
READ ALSO:
Government should invest in rural schools to enable access to quality education
DTB launched its ‘Achieve More Girl’ initiative in 2020 by committing KSh50 million to support 30,000 schoolgirls access quality menstrual products over a five-year period. This anchor programme aims to tackle the crucial challenge of limited access to menstrual health products which limits the education of young girls in marginalised communities.
Up to this point, the bank has successfully supported 18,000 schoolgirls across 16 counties nationwide, collaborating strategically with diverse organisations and community groups. The primary goal is to diminish the rate of school absences caused by menstruation-related issues.
The initiative also includes educational workshops aimed at instructing both women and men in the creation of reusable menstrual health items. Additionally, it offers mentorship for girls and boys to enhance their understanding of menstrual hygiene and to lessen the social stigma surrounding menstruation among peers.
Last year, 5,000 schoolgirls from Narok, Homa Bay, Kilifi, and Nyandarua counties received reusable menstrual kits under the programme. As a result, these counties have seen a tremendous decrease in school absenteeism and an increase in school performance.
The ‘Achieve More Girl’ initiative is in harmony with DTB’s commitment to Sustainability and Citizenship agenda, embracing three key Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) quality education, good health and wellbeing, and gender equality.
The programme is dedicated to enhancing the lives of young girls and the broader communities, to which they belong, addressing essential needs in these areas.
By Frank Mugwe
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
