Breaking the Silence: Empowering Girls Through Menstrual Hygiene Management
Menstruation is a natural and essential biological function, marking a key aspect of reproductive health. Yet, in many African cultures, it remains shrouded in taboo, leaving countless girls and women without the necessary knowledge and support to manage their menstrual health confidently. In Kenya, only 50% of girls feel comfortable discussing menstruation at home, and a mere 12% receive this vital information from their mothers. This silence perpetuates shame and embarrassment around a normal bodily function.
HopeCore’s Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) project is a beacon of change, aligning with the Kenya Menstrual Hygiene Policy of 2019-2025. This policy aims to ensure that all girls and women in Kenya can manage their menstruation hygienically, with dignity, free from stigma, and access to accurate information, menstrual products, and proper facilities for safe disposal.
HopeCore’s initiative is transformative for the girls of Maara sub-county. Since the project began, we have distributed annual sanitary towels to 27,184 girls and provided comprehensive health education on menstrual hygiene management to 28,526 girls. These efforts are not just about products and information; they are about restoring dignity and freedom to young women, enabling them to participate fully in their daily lives, including education.
Recent survey results from our monitoring and evaluation team underscore the impact of our work. For 49% of respondents, mothers were identified as the primary source of initial menstruation education, while HopeCore was acknowledged at 15%. Importantly, the utilization rate of sanitary pads provided by HopeCore was nearly 100%, with 151 out of 152 respondents using the pads consistently. This high utilization rate highlights our support's critical role in enhancing menstrual hygiene management for these girls. With consistent access to sanitary products and proper menstrual hygiene education, school absenteeism among girls has significantly decreased, leading to better academic performance. Additionally, more girls are now participating in extracurricular activities, including sports, which boosts their self-confidence and overall development.
Our work continues to inspire and empower. Together, we can ensure that menstruation is no longer a source of shame, but a symbol of health and vitality for every girl. Join us in this mission to create a world where every girl can manage her menstruation with dignity and pride.
