By Caroline Katana
On some days, the hardest part of school for a teenage girl is not mathematics, science, or examinations. It is standing up from her desk.
For many girls in rural Kwale County, menstruation remains a monthly crisis that forces them to choose between dignity and education.
Some sit motionless in classrooms, fearing that blood stains on their uniforms will expose them to ridicule. Others stay home altogether because their families cannot afford sanitary pads.
Behind every missed lesson lies a story of poverty, stigma, and silence.
For Anne Rukia, a mother from Chigombero, those stories are painfully familiar.
“Many girls suffer quietly during their periods. Some remain seated in class because they are afraid people will notice they have stained their uniforms. They feel ashamed and embarrassed,” said Rukia.
Her voice reflects the experience of thousands of girls across Kenya who continue to face barriers that many communities rarely discuss openly.
Rukia says access to sanitary products remains a challenge for many families, particularly in rural communities where poverty is widespread.
“We are grateful to the government and organizations that bring sanitary pads directly to schools. When they are distributed at school, every girl can benefit. Some parents are elderly, some are struggling financially, and others do not even understand the importance of menstrual hygiene products,” she added.
Chigombero resident, Anne Rukia
According to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), nearly two billion people menstruate worldwide, yet an estimated 500 million continue to experience period poverty due to inadequate access to sanitary products, proper sanitation facilities, and menstrual health information.
The consequences extend far beyond discomfort.
Girls who repeatedly miss school during their menstrual cycles often experience declining academic performance, reduced self-confidence, and increased vulnerability to exploitation.
In Kwale County, where teenage pregnancy remains a major concern, stakeholders say period poverty has become both a public health and social justice issue.
That reality brought together parents, health professionals, educators, government officials, and development partners at Ng’onzini North Primary School in Samburu Sub-County during this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day commemorations.
The event, organized by AHF Kenya, sought to raise awareness about menstrual health while supporting vulnerable girls with essential supplies.
AHF distributed approximately 500 packets of sanitary pads and dignity packs containing underwear, soap, lotion, and other hygiene essentials.
For many girls, it was more than a donation.
It was reassurance that their struggles had finally been acknowledged.
For years, menstrual health has largely been viewed as a women’s issue. But some fathers in Kwale say they are beginning to understand that they, too, have a role to play.
Menstruation hygiene partners
Frank Mutisya attended the awareness session expecting to learn about issues affecting girls.
Instead, he left questioning long-held cultural beliefs.
“I learned that menstrual health is not only a matter for women. As fathers, we also have a responsibility to support our daughters,” he said.
Mutisya admitted that many men in the community have traditionally left discussions about menstruation entirely to mothers.
The training, he said, challenged that mindset.
“We need more education in our villages because many fathers simply do not know how to help their teenage girls. These programmes are opening our eyes and teaching us that protecting our daughters is everyone’s responsibility,” he added.
His comments highlight a growing recognition among stakeholders that ending period poverty requires the involvement of entire communities—not just women and girls.
Health experts warn that the impact of period poverty extends beyond education.
It can also expose girls to serious health and social risks.
AHF Kenya Coast Regional Prevention Programme Coordinator Joseph Wachira described the distribution of dignity packs as more than a hygiene initiative.
“When we provide a dignity pack, we are helping protect a girl’s health, keeping her in school, and reducing vulnerabilities that can expose her to exploitation and HIV infection,” he said.
Speaking during the event, AHF Kenya Coast Regional Medical Manager Dr Hamza Bulhan highlighted the connection between economic hardship, transactional sex, teenage pregnancy, and HIV vulnerability.
“When girls cannot afford sanitary products, some become vulnerable to exploitation,” he said.
In some cases, desperate circumstances push girls into transactional relationships with older men who offer money or basic necessities in exchange for sex.
“The result is often devastating—early pregnancies, school dropouts, and an increased risk of HIV infection,” noted Dr Bulhan.
AHF Kenya Coast Regional Medical Manager Dr Hamza Bulhan
He added that, according to the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), young people aged between 15 and 34 continue to bear a significant burden of new HIV infections in Kenya.
In a statement delivered by Charlotte Meja during the event, AHF Kenya Country Director Dr Samuel Kinyanjui described access to menstrual products as a fundamental necessity rather than a luxury.
“Period poverty remains a reality for many families, particularly in underserved and marginalized communities,” he said.
He noted that no girl should miss school, lose confidence, or be denied opportunities because she lacks access to sanitary products.
Representing Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, Director of Social Services and Talent Management Samson Mangale Nyawa warned that the county’s teenage pregnancy rate remains at approximately 16 percent.
“The future of our girls cannot be left to chance. A teenage pregnancy rate of sixteen percent is a serious concern that requires all stakeholders to work together,” he said.
He urged girls to remain focused on their education and avoid circumstances that could jeopardize their futures.
However, officials acknowledged that responsibility cannot rest solely on the shoulders of young girls. Parents, schools, religious leaders, health professionals, and policymakers all have a role to play.
For many participants, the day’s activities represented something much larger than the distribution of menstrual products.
They symbolized dignity, opportunity, and hope.
AHF’s Girls Act Programme Leader Joanne Muema said conversations about menstrual health must continue long after annual commemorations have ended.
“Safe and dignified menstruation is a right. No girl should feel ashamed because of a natural biological process,” she said.
AHF’s Girls Act Programme Leader, Joanne Muema
Muema challenged both the county and national governments to allocate more resources toward menstrual health programmes and support for the girl child.
“I would be glad to see all Women Representatives allocating funds for grassroots awareness on menstrual hygiene and supporting teenage girls with sanitary pads,” she said.
Her message resonated with students, parents, and teachers gathered beneath the coastal sun.
For generations, menstruation has often been discussed in whispers. Many girls grew up believing it was something to hide—something to endure alone.
But at Ng’onzini North Primary School, those whispers are slowly turning into conversations. And those conversations are beginning to change lives.
As the event came to a close, the message from the community stressed the need for school girls to access sanitary products to help them stay in school.
