Challenges and Gaps in Sanitary Towels Provision in Kenya During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

While the Kenyan government has committed to sanitary pad distribution in schools to provide girls with an allocation of pads each term, many girls continue to use unhygienic methods and materials to manage their menstruation, and many continue to miss school during the threat period. Notably, girls have continued to face numerous menstruation obstacles and problems that are inherent in customs and beliefs, and those from low-income families have either absentee themselves many times or dropped out totally. This article focuses on a cross-section of Kenyan Sub-Counties that have been purposefully targeted by the Ministry of Education and for focused and informed measures to minimize access retention and transition challenges, particularly in rural areas. A mixed-method approach of interviews and questionnaires was used to collect data from Sub-counties with high levels of adolescent pregnancies and female dropouts to acquire both qualitative and quantitative data. This study’s participants were 5 headteachers, 5 guidance and counselling teachers, and 100 primary school girls picked using a convenient random method from 100 households distributed across the Sub-counties in Kenya. The findings indicate a lack of adequate supplies and ineffective management of the program plus a high level of poverty, making it hard for most families to acquire sanitary towels for their girls whenever they are required.