Mombasa Women Representative Zamzam Mohamed has urged the government to increase budgetary allocations for sanitary towels to encourage the retention of girls in schools.
Period poverty, Mohamed says, has given rise to a surge of out-of-school girls and unsatisfactory performance in examinations and co-curricular activities.
The Women Representative poked holes in the current process of distribution by the Ministry of Education, saying it does not reach all girls. Lack of funds to purchase sanitary towels, she said, has led to girl-child pregnancy.
“Girl children, according to statistics, have lagged behind in performance in schools, and this is attributed to numerous factors, one of which is period poverty. As leaders who represent women, we have an obligation to change that, and this can be done through partnerships with key players,” said Mohamed.
The Women Representative distributed 650 sanitary towels and a water tank to the Hassan Joho girls in Kisauni constituency.
“Through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) and partners, we will put together a response to support water harvesting in our schools and continue issuing sanitary pads to all girls’ schools within Mombasa County to boost hygiene,” she said.
Mohamed also called for an increase in the National Government Affirmative Action Fund’s (NGAAF) allocation to support more vulnerable girls through bursaries and scholarships.
The Women Representative observed that currently it is not possible to satisfy the needs of all schools, but if the fund is enhanced “we will have the financial muscle to support needy girl children in remote areas who are underprivileged”.
The Women Representative pledged to collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance girls’ performance in schools.
Kilindini Rotary Club President Anil Dodhia echoed the Women Representative’s call on partnerships; he advised schools to work closely with well-wishers to ensure girls are in school. Dodhia said the Rotary Club targets to empower out-of-school girls affected by period poverty.
By Sadik Hassan
