In a bold and compassionate step towards empowering young girls and promoting gender equity in education, the Oyugis Integrated Project (OIP) has officially launched a Reusable Sanitary Pads Department. This initiative seeks to break the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation, while offering a sustainable solution to a challenge that continues to affect thousands of girls in Kenya and beyond.
A Vision Rooted in Empowerment
For years, OIP has worked at the grassroots level to uplift communities affected by poverty, HIV/AIDS, and gender inequality. The introduction of the reusable sanitary pads department is yet another strategic intervention focused on long-term impact — helping school-going girls access menstrual hygiene products that are not only affordable but also environmentally friendly and durable.
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.
Worse still, the inability to manage their periods with dignity leads many girls to miss school. Studies indicate that some girls can miss up to four days of school each month due to lack of sanitary products. This chronic absenteeism eventually contributes to poor academic performance, low self-esteem, and in some cases, school dropout.
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.
By providing reusable sanitary pads free of charge to the most vulnerable girls, this program not only restores their dignity but also removes the temptation and risk of such dangerous exchanges. It is a critical intervention in both girls’ education and HIV/AIDS prevention.
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:
Cost-effectiveness: A single set can last up to 24 months, significantly reducing the financial burden on families.
Environmental sustainability: Unlike disposable pads, these do not contribute to waste and pollution.
Health and comfort: The pads are made from breathable, skin-friendly materials to minimize irritation and infections.
Privacy and discretion: The pads come with discreet storage pouches, allowing girls to carry and wash them without stigma.
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.
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