Bungoma County Women Representative Catherine Wambilianga has flagged off the distribution of 912,880 packets of sanitary pads across the county.
Speaking on Monday at Kapsokwony DEB Primary School, Wambilianga said the sanitary pads will be distributed to all schools, both Primary and Secondary Schools.
Wambilianga said that the sanitary pads will be distributed depending on the vulnerability of the community living around the schools, with the most vulnerable getting more.
The County women representative noted that the programme was previously done by the Ministry of Education, but after women representatives visited President William Ruto, it was decided that it should be run by the office of women representatives through the Ministry of Gender Culture and Social Services.
Wambilianga said that the move was meant to keep the girl child in school even during their monthly periods.
The County women representative called upon the girl child to say no to sex and concentrate on education, stating that it’s the only tool that can make them equal.
She further cautioned teachers against selling the sanitary pads or distributing them to the community.
“These sanitary pads are meant for school-going girls,” she noted.
Wambilianga called upon other stakeholders to come on board to support the education of the girl child.
On the other hand, Sub County Kenya Primary Schools Association (KEPSA) Chairlady Cheruto Komen challenged the county women representative to also consider looking for a package for the boy child.
Komen noted that the boy child also undergoes numerous challenges and should also be put into consideration.
“Failure to which population of the boy child will start reducing in schools more so in Mt. Elgon Sub County,” she noted.
She proposed that if they can also be provided with boys’ inner pants so that as they distribute sanitary pads to the girls, they can also give boys the inner pants.
Komen also proposed the introduction of porridge to the early child development classes across the sub-county.
She noted that most of the children come from vulnerable families, and teachers go through difficulties while teaching them.
In attendance were Deputy County Commissioner Nicholas Kijuba, Sub County Education Officer Kennedy Machacha, and Assistant County Commissioner Josphat Kipyator.
By Douglas Mudambo
