For years, girls here have used rags, mattress foam, and newspaper to manage their periods,missing school, risking infection, losing their dignity. That narrative is changing. This is the story of a pad drive that gave 500 women and girls back their confidence, their health, and their futures.
The Menstrual Hygiene Crisis in Urban Slums
Kiambiu, Nairobi – In the heart of Nairobi’s Eastlands lies Kiambiu, a vibrant yet densely populated informal settlement. For many residents, daily life is a struggle against economic hardship. But for the young girls and women living here, there is an additional, silent battle that occurs every month: menstrual hygiene management. For many, the choice is stark, buy food or buy sanitary pads. This is why the recent Sanitary Pad Drive in Kiambiu was not just a donation event; it was a mission to restore dignity, promote health, and keep girls in school.
The Menstrual Hygiene Crisis in Urban Slums
In Kenya, while the government has made strides by removing Value Added Tax (VAT) on sanitary products, affordability remains a significant hurdle for families living below the poverty line. In Kiambiu, where many households survive on less than $2 a day, a packet of sanitary pads is often considered a luxury. When pads are out of reach, many girls resort to dangerous alternatives: rags, mattress stuffing, newspaper, or even cow dung. This practice leads to:
- Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs): Unhygienic materials introduce bacteria that can cause severe infections.
- School Absenteeism:According to UNESCO, approximately 1 in 10 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa miss school during their menstruation, eventually dropping out due to the shame and stigma.
- Loss of Dignity: The inability to manage periods safely leads to social isolation, anxiety, and a loss of self-esteem.
Before this drive, I used pieces of an old mattress. I would stay home from school for a week every month because I was afraid of leaking and being laughed at. Now I have pads and I know how to take care of myself. I feel like a normal girl again.
- AnonymousHow You Can Help
You don’t have to be in Kiambiu to make a difference. Here are three ways you can contribute to ending period poverty in informal settlements:
- Donate
Support more girls in need
Your donation helps girls like those in Kiambiu access the sanitary products they need to stay healthy, attend school, and pursue their dreams. Join us in breaking the cycle of period poverty and empowering the next generation
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