Schoolgirls displaying sanitary pads [Photo/zumi.co.ke]
The ministry of Public Service Youth and Gender affairs has set aside Sh470 million for the provision of sanitary pads in the 2017/2018 financial year. There is a ministerial shift from the previous order where Ministry of Education distributed the pads to girls from poor families since 2011.
The change was necessitated by a change of law that made all girls eligible regardless of one’s background as a measure to reduce absenteeism.
The new ministry will deal with procurement and distribution as well as offer guidance on the use and disposal. However, the Kenya National Union of Teachers secretary-general Wilson Sossion told the Star that they were not consulted about the change in the ministries responsible for the program.
“If the reason behind the shift is compelling then we will support the move, but if there is a fault then we will then comment on the right measures we will recommend,” Sossion said as reported by the Star.
The Kenya Primary Schools Head Association Chair Indimuli Kahi also said he was unaware of the changes.