Breaking taboos: Women laud game-changing reusable pads during menstrual health forum

Women have lauded reusable sanitary towels terming them as cost-friendly amidst the tough economic times. 

This was after Bahari Sisters held a Menstrual Health Forum in Githurai over the weekend where up to 150 women received the reusable pads. 

Ebeth, who was one of the beneficiaries, said she would not have to go to the shop every month to purchase sanitary towels. 

"I will also influence my daughters to start using the reusable pads," she said. 

Anne on her part said she was coming across the reusable pads for the first time. 

She said she liked the pads because they have no chemicals which might react to her skin. 

"The disposable pads sometimes burn my skin and this leaves me uncomfortable after my cycle. I am eager to try out the reusable ones with no chemicals," Anne said. 

Bahari Sisters founder and executive director Vicki L. Jones said she started giving out reusable sanitary towels to school girls back in 2012. 

"Since then, over 500 girls have benefitted from the reusable sanitary towels," Jones said. 

Jones said last year, it came to mind that she should expand from giving girls the towels to also giving women. 

She said she reached out to three female pastors from Stable Anchor Church in Githurai who helped her get to the 150 women who benefitted from the health forum. 

Jones hopes that in 2025, she will reach out to 200 women who will benefit from the reusable pads. 

Bahari Sisters project manager Audrey Ochieng said it was the first time they were distributing pads to women. 

"Initially we used to go to high schools and educate the young girls. But we realised there was an information gap among both the parents and the children. We realised we had been catering for the girls, but then who is catering for their parents?" she posed. 

Ochieng said many projects surrounding menstrual health usually target young girls leaving out women. 

She noted that some parents can barely afford to buy sanitary towels for their girls, as well as themselves. 

She said there is a lot of misinformation and lack of about menstrual health thus the need for such forums. 

"If we educate the older ones, then they will be better equipped to educate the younger ones as they come up," Ochieng said. 

Other than menstrual health forums, Bahari Sisters also empower women by training them in money-generating skills. 

They also make food donations to families each month. The non-profit organisation was founded in 2012. 

Jones said when she was choosing a name for the organisation, she needed one that connected her with her sisters, even across oceans. 

"I started looking for the appropriate Swahili word and Bahari came. And I thought that was perfect for us because we are sisters across the ocean," Jones said.