Kakamega County first lady Priscillah Oparanya has called upon the Ministry of Education to introduce a subject on menstrual hygiene to prepare young girls and help curb stigma among young girls. The call came as she launched a menstrual hygiene programme that targets school going pupils from select primary schools in Kakamega County, to help them access sanitary materials and other basic personal effects.
Speaking during the launch at Hirumbi Primary School, Shirere ward, Lurambi sub county, the first lady who is also a maternal health champion said menstrual health has become a major challenge among the young girls especially in upper primary classes, in some cases leading to drop outs from school. “We launch this programme that is aimed at finishing the stigma associated with menstrual hygiene among our young girls across the County,’’ she said.
Unlike last year when only the girls benefited, this year’s programme considered boys who received boxers and washing soap for use. Over 600 girls benefited last year. The County first lady explained that she initiated the programme after realizing that girls were performing dismally in national examinations as compared to boys and she cited the challenges related with menstrual hygiene. She thanked Lapfund and the Ministry of Health Services for supporting her path and called on male parents to also get involved in development of their children.
Health Services CEC Rachel Okumu called on the parents and teachers to keep reminding the children that the menstrual process was not a disease but a part of life that every lady has to go through. She called on the school headteachers to observe the required hygiene levels in the school failure to which the department of public health would close down the institutions.
Area MCA David Ikunza used the opportunity to appeal to residents of the ward to seek for medical attention from the nearest Elwesero Health Facility for cases that do not require specialized attention in order to ease pressure on Kakamega County General and Referral Hospital which is also located in Shirere ward. Also present was a representative from Lapfund Mr. George Ochieng who assured the first lady of the their support, Rose Muhanda the GBV coordinator and Shirere Ward Administrator Mr. Tipo Mbai among others.
