Picture, a 13-year-old girl from a remote village and a pastoralist family in Kalemnyang, Turkana South Sub-County, who has finally secured her chance with education, arriving in school for the first time. She steps into her Grade Three classroom excited to learn at Kalemnyang Primary School. A few days later, something unexpected happens, her monthly periods start, unprepared and traumatized, she refuses to talk or leave her dormitory thinking she is about to die.

Steps in Nancy Achwa, Deputy Head Teacher at Kalemnyang Primary School and the Teacher of Home Science who reaches out to the frightened girl and lets her know all is well. She takes her time educating her that this is a very normal occasion that happens to not only the other girls in school, but every woman.

The 45-year-old Achwa has been teaching since 2005 and has experienced similar cases with many other vulnerable girls. According to her, she had a very difficult time as a young girl and would not want any other girl to go through the embarrassment or shame.

“During our time, we used to use tattered clothes during that period. Most of us would miss out on school because of the sigma that was associated with soiling clothes,” she said.

In Turkana South Sub-County, Beatrice Mukoma, the Head of Guidance and Counselling at Uhuru Girls High School, in 2021 rallied students and teachers to apply for a Seed Capital that would help them start a School Canteen. A good percentage of the profit was directed to charity which would cover basic needs such as sanitary towels and soap for the girls in need.

“Together with my fellow teachers, we would spend our resources to support the girls. Most of them come from very vulnerable backgrounds, and some have had to engage in early sex to buy very basic needs. We encourage them to share their challenges so that we can support them,” Mukoma stated.

According to Mukoma who has been teaching since 2018, they host a bi-weekly Peer-to-Peer counseling sessions at Uhuru Girls High School. The teachers step out to allow the girls to have a safe space to express their challenges and encourage each other.

On the other hand, Kalemnyang Primary Schol, which is also a mixed school have a student-led Sanitation Health Club where the students not only clean but also meet to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene. The teachers also guide and encourage them to stay in school.

“Our club hosts students from Grade Three up to Grade Nine. We demonstrate especially to the very young girls how to correctly use the sanitary towels and dispose them,” emphasized Daniella Ebei, President Sanitation Health Club, and a Grade Nine student.

Both Achwa and Mukoma share that they have witnessed a significant change in girl’s enrollment and continued education thanks to the strategic measures put in place within schools and supported by the County Government and partners.

“Apart from menstruation needs, the girls have other challenges affording basic needs that support their menstrual hygiene such as soap and underpants. I am happy with the progress made thanks to the support from partners who provide dignity kits,” Mukoma added.

She added that the school holds open discussions on what to expect for the young girls who are yet to start and educate the older girls who may be experiencing delays.

“Our girls are now very well informed of the required menstrual hygiene practices. I am very pleased to report that we have seen a significant reduction on the reported Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) among other related infection cases,” Mukoma explained.

According to Teacher Achwa, the school attendance has been high and they have not had any dropouts thanks to the continued support.

“There is a boosted level of confidence in our girls. The supplies they receive not only improves their self-esteem but goes a long way in ensuring they stay in school and are not being taken advantage of by sexual predators,” Achwa added.

The County Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Coordinator Dr Fatuma Rajab, has been working closely with County School Health Coordinator Rael Akoru to spearhead efforts to work with partners who complement the County’s menstrual health strategies.

According to Dr Rajab, the County Government’s Adolescent and Youth Program supports girls between 10 to 24 years. “This program aims to end stigma, normalize menstruation as a topic of discussion, and boosts their self-awareness and esteem,” This helps reduce the chances of young girls engaging in early sex and prevent teen pregnancies.

Dr Rajab highlighted that the County Government runs two youth-friendly centers at Nabulon Health Center and the Lodwar County Referral Hospital. These centers act as a safe space for young girls to receive medical care away from judgement. The services provided include antenatal care, safe deliveries, guidance and counselling, HIV/AIDs and mother-to-mother support groups.

The County Government also has Gender-Based Violence centers at Kanamkemer and Lokitaung where these young girls can go to seek safety and receive medical attention. Part of the program activities include hosting radio talk shows on youth pressing issues where youths act as peer educators and lead the discussions.

The School Health Program also conducts menstrual hygiene awareness, coordinates distribution of sanitary pads, and connects partners with learning institutions.

Written by: Esther Mwangi, Assistant Director, Public Communication and Media Relations