The National Government in partnership with the office of Homa Bay County Women Representative Dr Joyce Osogo alias Bensuda has procured 8000 bales of sanitary pads for adolescent girls in Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in the County.
The pads which will be distributed free of charge will be distributed to girls in schools across the eight constituencies.
The Women Rep launched the program ahead of the dispatch of each sub-county’s consignment for distribution to schools.
Dr Osogo began by leading transportation of the pads consignments to Homa Bay, Rangwe and Ndhiwa Sub-county headquarters.
She said the programme will improve the academic performance of the girls.
“Some girls from financially challenged families fail to go to school during menstruation period for lack of pads. This project is going to solve the problem and improve their academic performance,” Dr Osogo said.
Osogo said the programme will also reduce teen pregnancies in the county.
According to the latest Kenya Health and Demographic Survey, teen pregnancies rate in Bay County stands at 23.2per cent compared to the national prevalence which is 14.8 per cent.
Dr Osogo attributed the teen pregnancies to lack of sanitary pads in which some men lure school girls into sex in order to buy them towels.
“This programme is also going to cushion our girls from sex pests,” Osogo said.
She said her administration is committed to promoting education to uplift the local economy.
The Woman Rep said her office was sponsoring needy students for courses offered by the National Industrial Training Authority and Export Processing Zones.
“Education is a key priority in my leadership. I have various education programmes to ensure our young people become productive in future,” Dr Osogo said.
By Davis Langat
