Lokichar- May 28, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
Turkana County has today joined the world in marking the global Menstrual Hygiene Day by distributing dignity kits to over 500 adolescent girls, while involved in a Dignity Walk that aimed to raise awareness on menstrual health.
The celebration, marked every year on May 28, serves as a platform to break menstrual taboos and awareness creation on menstrual hygiene and lobby for participation of entire community in championing for it.
This year’s theme, “Walk for Dignity: Every Girl. Every Month,”called for a period-friendly world where menstruation is accepted as a normal fact of life.
KDII in partnership with Swiss Contact issued 400 disposable pads and 100 re-usable pads. Concern Worldwide issued over 18,000 dignity kits for girls and 3,000 boxers for boys. Welthunghilfe will be issuing Menstrual Health management training in 21 schools.
The other partners including Red Cross Society donated 360 sanitary towels, Maisha Youth, LOKADO also issued additional dignity kits and sanitary towels among other items.
Speaking during the event, the County School Health Coordinator and Menstrual Health and Hygiene Champion, Rael Akoru took this event as a collaborative effort for all the sector stakeholders.
“Together with our partners, over 2,500 girls in Turkana have received dignity kits and sanitary towels. Our partners have also provided boxers for our school-going boys in support of their improved hygiene,”she said.
Calling on parents and caregivers to protect their children against sexual predators, Akoru issued a stern warning on predators who prey on innocent young girls that results in early sex and marriage.
The National Director at Convoy of Hope Kenya, Philomena Kiroken highlighted that the initiative is not merely an event; but a movement of advocacy, equity, and transformation.
“Menstrual health is a matter of justice and dignity. At Convoy of Hope, we walk so that no girl has to walk alone. We support this initiative because we believe in a Kenya where every girl, every month, can stand tall, proud, and prepared.”
Turkana South Sub-county Director of Education, Stephen Nyangweso, highlighted the plight of girls saying as a result of the high poverty burden especially in Turkana South, girls should be supported not to miss a day in school.
The Station Manager at K DE IGRATIUM International (KDII) in Lodwar, Knique Okatch said, “Providing sustainable menstrual hygiene solutions for our girls is critical for our schools and overall economic development”.
The Lokichar Area Chief, Duncan Ekitela Ngimare stated that we should support girls to be at school throughout the period.“We are sounding a warning to anyone targeting young girls. If in any case, we would hold the culprit accountable,” he said.
