A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) is calling on the government to abolish any tax on sanitary materials in order to make them affordable especially to girls in secondary schools.
Speaking on Saturday during the celebrations of World’s Menstrual Hygiene Day at Kithangari girls’ high school in Meru County, Ms Santa Sabastian the Director of Youth and Women Advocacy Network which is under the umbrella of Echo Network Africa said the move will ensure that the girls’ learning times in schools were not interrupted as they go out to look for the important materials.
“We have realized that girls also do not feel comfortable when they are undergoing the menstrual cycle and especially when they lack sanitary towels. This affects their performance and our rallying call to the government therefore is to abolish any tax on these materials if not providing them for free,” said Ms Sabastain.
She added: “We also came here to support and encourage the young girls that there is no shame in having periods and that they should be confident and serious in their studies even when they are experiencing the cycles.”
Deputy Director Mr Ahmad Yusuf called on all education stakeholders and partners to work together in ensuring that every girl in schools in Meru County have access to adequate sanitary towels to ensure they have uninterrupted access to quality education.
According to stakeholders in education a lot of girls don’t give out their best in life because of the stigma surrounding them, especially concerning the menstrual cycle.
Global health organisations are trying to build a world where no one is held back because of the normal menstrual cycle by the year 2030.
Caroline Kathambi, a girl from the school thanked the group for supporting them and promised to reward them by excelling in their academic work.
“We are glad we have been mentored and supported well and we promise to work hard as a pay for this support,” said Kathambi.
By Dickson Mwiti
