Two Members of Parliament from Homa Bay County now want the government to channel the money it spends on procuring free condoms to buying sanitary pads for school girls.
Speaking in Rangwe, on Saturday, area MP Lilian Gogo and her Kabondo Kasipul counterpart Eve Obara decried the problem girls are enduring due to inability to buy pads.
The two said that the move will help in ensuring girls don't miss school during their periods, with Gogo pointing out that the sanitary pads campaign by the State has been grounded due to shortage of funds.
"The government started a programme of distributing free sanitary pads to school girls, but it is not effective. If they lack money then funds used to buy condoms should be diverted to sanitary pads programme to cushion school girls from the humiliation they suffer after their parents fail to purchase the pads," she said during a funeral service.
She also argued that the fact use of condoms is a choice yet menstruation is involuntary is enough grounds for the State to do more for the girls rather than buying condoms.
"Use of condoms is voluntary because somebody can opt to adhere to information from a VCT to be sure of their HIV status before sex. But menstruation for girls is a must,” she added.
On her part, Obara urged the State to support girl child education.