Kenya: US Delegation Backs Fight Against Period Poverty in Kenyan Schools
[Capital FM] Kisii -- A delegation of US-based leaders and humanitarian advocates is in Kenya for a week-long outreach programme aimed at tackling period poverty among schoolgirls and promoting menstrual dignity in schools.
A US delegation of leaders and humanitarian advocates is currently in Kenya for a week-long mission to combat period poverty in schools and promote menstrual dignity among schoolgirls, according to the source. The delegation has been visiting schools throughout the country to provide sanitary products, educate girls on menstrual hygiene, and offer counseling and mental health support.
Dr Leslie Latimore-Lorfils, a leadership strategist and former senior military officer, emphasized that period poverty extends beyond the absence of sanitary products, impacting girls' dignity, self-esteem, and access to education. The delegation is committed to walking alongside these girls, listening to their concerns, and providing sustainable solutions.
Shandra Johnson, an advocate for mothers and girls, highlighted the initiative's goal of ensuring girls feel supported during menstruation, emphasizing that their education matters more than their periods. Craig Bruce of Evolve Advisory Group expressed pride in supporting the humanitarian initiative and called on more partners to invest in girls' education, stating that empowering a girl empowers a community.
Dominic Obadiah, a humanitarian diplomat and founder of Civility Voice Diplomat (CvD), noted that the delegation had visited schools in both rural and peri-urban areas, where lack of sanitary products and menstrual stigma persistently hinder girls' attendance. Obadiah stressed that the mission aims to restore dignity to the girl child and ensure no girl misses school due to her period.
The delegation has donated sanitary pads and menstrual cups to hundreds of schoolgirls, introducing the latter as a reusable, environmentally friendly alternative that can last for years with proper maintenance. The outreach also focuses on educating girls about menstrual hygiene while dispelling myths and stigmas surrounding menstruation.
The program will continue in additional schools across Kenya this week, coordinated by Civility Voice Diplomat. AllAfrica, which publishes around 600 reports daily from over 90 news organizations and 500 other institutions, is responsible for the content of each report and does not edit or correct it.
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