A Vision Rooted in Empowerment
These reusable pads, made from soft, absorbent, and washable fabric, can last up to two years, making them a cost-effective and sustainable solution for menstrual hygiene management.
The Struggle Girls Face
Menstrual poverty remains a silent crisis across rural Kenya. Many girls, particularly those from low-income families, simply cannot afford disposable sanitary towels. Instead, they resort to using rags, old clothes, leaves, or even newspapers — materials that are unhygienic and unsafe. The result is often recurring infections, embarrassment, and shame.
A Dark Reality: The Link Between Menstrual Poverty and Exploitation
Tragically, the desperation for menstrual products has driven some girls into exploitative relationships. In exchange for sanitary pads, girls may be coerced into transactional sex, exposing them to HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancies, and physical abuse. The OIP, which has long been involved in care and support for HIV/AIDS clients, recognizes the urgency of addressing this connection.The Advantages of Reusable Sanitary Pads
The reusable sanitary pads distributed through OIP are designed with both practicality and dignity in mind. Their benefits include:
Community Involvement and Skills Development
Beyond direct distribution, the department also trains young women in tailoring skills to make the pads themselves. This not only promotes local ownership but also empowers women with skills that can become a source of income. The integration of this component into the larger youth empowerment and women’s support programs under OIP creates a ripple effect of economic and social empowerment.
A Call to Action
As this initiative takes off, OIP is calling on well-wishers, donors, schools, and faith-based partners to support the effort. Whether through financial contributions, materials for pad production, or helping identify girls in need, everyone has a role to play in restoring dignity to menstruation and ensuring that no girl misses school because of her period.The Reusable Sanitary Pads Department is more than a hygiene project — it is a movement of compassion, empowerment, and justice. Together, we can help break the cycle of menstrual poverty, protect young girls from exploitation, and keep them where they belong: in school, with their heads held high.