The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
The Nyandarua County government has rolled out a new initiative providing sanitary pads to schoolgirls, aiming to address menstrual-related absenteeism and ensure uninterrupted learning.
Despite national interventions such as the government’s free sanitary towel programme launched in 2011, many girls—particularly in rural counties like Nyandarua—continue to miss school during their menstrual cycles.
The new programme acknowledges that earlier measures have not fully resolved the challenges faced by learners.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel
The initiative, spearheaded by the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (Ngaaf) under the patronage of Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau, seeks to complement existing efforts and directly address gaps that persist more than a decade after the national programme began.
“Ngaaf has launched a countywide sanitary pads initiative for primary and junior secondary school learners under our patron Faith Gitau. This reinforces our commitment to menstrual health as a key pillar in promoting access to education,” the organisation said.
Menstrual health remains a major barrier to education across the country, with studies linking lack of access to sanitary products, inadequate sanitation facilities, and fear of embarrassment to irregular school attendance. Although the 2011 national programme aimed to cushion vulnerable learners, logistical gaps and inconsistent distribution have left many girls still missing classes.
Experts note that menstrual-related absenteeism affects more than academic performance—it can lower self-esteem, hinder learning continuity, and increase the risk of school drop-out. For students in examination classes, even brief absences can have long-term consequences.
Local leaders in Nyandarua revealed that feedback from schools informed the county’s decision to implement the pads initiative. The programme is designed to reinforce government efforts, providing practical support at the county level and ensuring that girls can attend school with dignity.
Campaigners warn that without access to sanitary products, girls often resort to unsafe or improvised alternatives, which are unhygienic and uncomfortable. Fear of leakage, stigma, and teasing remain key reasons why girls stay home during their menstrual periods.
While distribution schedules have not yet been disclosed, organisers emphasised that the initiative represents a renewed focus on retention, equal participation, and the importance of menstrual health as a core education issue rather than an afterthought.
Education advocates stress that the true impact of the programme will be measured in improved attendance, increased confidence, and continuity in learning for girls across the county.
Nyandarua’s initiative adds to a growing recognition that keeping girls in school requires consistent, practical interventions that respond to real challenges in classrooms and communities.
