Kisumu County Woman Member of Parliament Ruth Odinga has intensified efforts to support girls’ education by distributing sanitary pads to female students in learning institutions across the county.
The initiative aims to ensure that girls remain in school and continue their studies without interruption during their menstrual periods.
Several schools across Kisumu County have already benefited from the programme, which is expected to reach all schools within the county’s seven sub-counties.
Speaking during a distribution exercise at Nyamasaria Primary School, the programme coordinator in the MP’s office, Timothy Nyandusi, said the initiative was designed to address challenges that often force girls to miss classes or drop out of school altogether.
Accompanied by education officials, Nyandusi oversaw the distribution of hundreds of sanitary pads to female learners at the school.
He noted that menstruation-related stigma and lack of access to sanitary products remain significant barriers to girls’ education.
“It has come to our attention that many girls miss school during their menstrual period due to stigma and lack of essential sanitary products,” Nyandusi said.
He noted that the trend is unfortunate because it interferes with the learning process and negatively affects academic performance.
Kisumu East Sub-County Quality Assurance Officer Shadrach Tanui praised the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will help improve school attendance among girls.
Tanui emphasized that no child should be forced to miss out on education because of challenges associated with menstruation.
He added that the programme would play a crucial role in enhancing retention rates among female learners.
The officer in charge of the Gender Desk, Grace Jobita, said plans were underway to expand the programme and reach as many schools as possible across the county.
Nyamasaria Primary School headteacher Charles Ondiek also commended the initiative, saying it would greatly benefit learners and contribute to improved educational outcomes.
He called on other leaders and stakeholders to emulate the gesture and support programmes that promote girls’ education.
The sanitary pad distribution programme is expected to continue across Kisumu County as part of ongoing efforts to ensure that girls have equal opportunities to learn and succeed in school.
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