By Rodgers Omondi, Busia
Kenya Women Senators’ Association (KEWASO) are advocating for free and mandatory distribution of sanitary pads to schools to help girls during menstruation.
Speaking when they visited learners from St James Nasewa senior school, Lung’a junior secondary school and Indoli junior secondary school from Matayos Sub county, senators led by nominated senator Catherine Mumma said they are pushing for the bill that will ensure sanitary pads are given to the girls freely in schools.
“We are advocating for sanitary pads to be treated like books in schools so that they are essential items that are considered and given when we give capitation to our schools. As women members of parliament, we need to reach to the level we budget and be able to take care of every girl. They should not perish because their family is poor. We are still pushing the bill in the parliament to ensure this is achieved” she said.
Senator Mumma said that the country is facing a challenge from the triple threat which has affected the adolescent.
“One of the pandemics developing in Kenya is the issue of losing the life of an adolescent because of the triple threat. This includes HIV, teen pregnancies and gender-based violence. We have the highest virus prevalence among youth aged 14-19 years old, we have high GBV instances with low prosecutions, and many teen pregnancies in many schools.
She also expressed her worry on the high rate of the teen pregnancies recorded in Busia county stating that there is a need to address the issue.
“In 2024, Busia County recorded more than 4400 cases of teen pregnancy girls. Matayos sub county had 767 cases. This is not acceptable and we must speak about it. As leaders from both county and national leaders, we should come together and ensure we handle this.
She also challenged the county governments to engage in ways that will improve the economic status of the residents to reduce poverty.
“One of the causes of the problem is poverty and the county governments should invest better to trigger the economy for people to move out of poverty. If Busia County engages and promotes coffee in this county, I can assure that people will move out of poverty. County government and national government should continue working together to ensure this is achieved” she said.
Nominated senator Mirajab Abdillahi stated that the figures of the affected children are alarming there being a need for an immediate intervention.
“We have the statistics of the children who have been affected but we lack the statistics from the government on how many perpetrators have been arrested and charged. We want to meet all stakeholders so that we can come up with the way forward on how we can protect our children” she said
She also called for proper observation of the law when dealing with the perpetrators so that they can receive the sentence that is equal to the offence committed.
Busia county women rep Catherne Omanyo in her sentiments condemned the emerging traits of violence against women in the country issuing a wakeup call to protect women.
“Everyday we hear an elderly woman has been raped, a teenager has been pregnanted or a woman has been physically abused. We need our society and even spiritual leaders to wake up and help to stop this mess immediately.”
She expressed her frustration for lack of support from the department of gender and NGAAF towards the provision of sanitary pads to school.
“I to ask the CS for gender, PS and the CEO of NGAAF to ensure they allow money that are allocated to help girls with sanitary pads. In 3 years in Busia, I have received 6 packets per girl once. Who is handling procurement for Busia? We need to buy 1 per each year and not per 3 years. Our girls cannot continue to stay at home because of menstruation.” She said.
Jenny Gakii, acting director, regional office coordination at the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council said the triple threat remains a public health problem in Kenya.
“Last year we experienced over 2799 adolescents acquiring new HIV infections. That means that every week we have 54 girls acquiring new HIV infections. We need to invest in adolescents and young people for us to have a bright future and generation.’ She said
She also stated that the country is experiencing an increased number of defilement cases highlighting the need of everyone taking responsibility.
“In our health facilities in Kenya last year alone, we reported over 17000 cases of 10-17 years old adolescents who had been defiled. We need all actors to be intentional and take responsibility all along from parenting. We are engaging in a multisectoral program to help in dealing with the triple threat.”
