Source: The Standard At least six out of every ten girls miss school during menstruation because they cannot afford sanitary towels, according to United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef). It is estimated that an average girl loses more than a full month of classes in a school year.
These are the unsettling statistics that have made the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development step in with a manual to help adolescent school girls understand their sexuality.
Education Secretary Leah Rotich however said provision of sanitary towels alone is not enough adding that they need a guide on how to use sanitary towels to manage their menstruation effectively.
"The girls need education and guide on how to use these towels and generally manage their menstruation," she said.
She was speaking on Friday during the launch of a new menstrual hygiene book titled My Monthly Cycle Guide at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
Those who cannot afford to buy sanitary towels resort to diverse methods, ranging from old pieces of cloth or used blankets to tissue paper or just remaining indoors to contain the menstrual flow.
These methods are not only unhygienic, but a health hazard.
The Ministry of Education has spent over Sh700 million to provide sanitary towels to over 1.78 million girls in selected public schools and 167 special schools.
The book, an initiative of Saidia Dada Network demonstrates how to fix pads on panties, taking care of oneself during menstruation, and also how to deal with discomfort associated with menstruation.
"This is a very important book as it provides practical guide to young girls on how to manage their menstruation and personal hygiene. The book will be of great benefit particularly to girls with special needs especially girls with disabilities mostly in schools for the deaf," added Rotich.
The book which will be distributed together with sanitary towels also seeks to correct the misinformation related to the monthly flow.
It provides guides to the girls on how to mark their day of menstruation, through the calendar provided.
"The guidelines are up to education standards and they have been aligned with the learners level of understanding," said Mercy Karogo Ag Director KICD.
Saidia Dada plans to partner with all the 47 counties to ensure the book is distributed to all schools.
"We are hoping that three million girls will benefit from this book annually. We are already in discussion with a number of county governments to partner with them with the aim of circulating the book to all schools in their respective counties," said Beatrice Githinji, Founder Saidia Dada Network.
Saidia Dada Network empowers young girls and teenage mothers by distributing sanitary towels and training programmes aimed at equipping menstrual education, teaching them how to improve their personal hygiene.