More than 85,000 schoolgirls in Siaya County are set to benefit from a government donation of over 800,000 sanitary pads, aimed at keeping them in school and restoring their confidence.
According to Nancy Okademi, the Siaya County Coordinator for the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), a total of 815,614 sanitary pads will be distributed to students across public primary and junior secondary schools in all sub-counties.
“We have 85,613 girls in Siaya County who will be receiving these sanitary pads,” Okademi announced during the official launch of the distribution exercise in Gem Yala and Gem Wagai sub-counties.
Speaking at the launch, Siaya County Woman Representative Dr Christine Ombaka—whose office is overseeing the distribution—commended the national government for the initiative. She emphasized that providing menstrual hygiene products is a vital strategy for improving girls’ education and retention in schools.
“One of the key strategies used to keep girls in school is providing them with sanitary pads. This ensures that girls have the confidence to attend classes with or without their menses,” Dr Ombaka said.
Beyond menstrual hygiene, Dr Ombaka urged the young girls to prioritize their education and avoid pre-marital sex and early pregnancies, which she warned could jeopardize their futures.
“So many girls who drop out of school to get married do not end up in successful unions,” she noted. “Statistics show that most of these early marriages break up, leaving the girls to return to their parents’ homes with their children.”
She challenged the students to take charge of their lives and resist temptations that could expose them to early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
Dr Ombaka assured residents that her office would ensure the pads reach all targeted schools across the sub-counties, including Ugenya, Ugunja, Gem Yala, Gem Wagai, Bondo, Rarieda, and Usigu.
The launch event was also attended by Gem Yala Deputy County Commissioner Evans Otieno, alongside other local officials.
