US agency donates 171,000 sanitary packs to keep girls in school

Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang on Wednesday received a donation of 171,000 packs of sanitary towels from USAID to help keep young girls in school. 

Belio expressed gratitude to the United States Agency for International Development(USAID), the US Embassy in Nairobi and the people of the USA for the donation for Primary and Secondary school girls.

He reiterated that the Ministry of Education is determined to ensure 100 per cent access, retention, completion and transition of girls in schools right from primary to secondary level.

"As a result, the government has set aside funds for sanitary towels programme to ensure that girls are retained in schools and absenteeism is reduced," he said at the KICD in Nairobi. 

In the current Financial Year 2023-24, the government allocated Sh940 million to the Sanitary Towels Programme, the highest since the programme was introduced.

Belio said due to the programme, there is evidence that girls now enjoy equal access to quality and relevant education like boys, irrespective of their socio-economic status.

Additionally, the PS said the provision of sanitary towels to many needy girls has reduced dropout rates, leading to girls completing their education and has also significantly improved their performance.

"In 2022, USAID supported the Ministry of Education with sanitary towels to girls in public primary and secondary schools complimenting the government of Kenya’s effort to ensure that “girls are kept in school,” he said. 

Belio said the sanitary towels were issued to KCPE and KCSE candidates in a number of schools.

USAID provided 4,152 bales of sanitary towels to the Ministry of Education which were distributed by the County Directors of Education in 19 counties.

"These helped to ensure that the girls were present in schools during the critical time of preparation and sitting of the national examinations," the PS said.

Belio said the Ministry of Education has a long-standing partnership with USAID in various programmes that have supported the Government in Education.

US Embassy Consular General Deborah Miller noted that the United States, through USAID, provides more than $5 million every year to support menstrual health across the country.

"We help private sector manufacturers produce safe products, we expand market access for girls and women of all income levels, and educate women and girls about safe, sustainable options to manage their menstruation," Miller said. 

"All of this is in partnership with the Government of Kenya and I applaud them for their leadership." 

She lauded the government for eliminating taxes on essential products, funding school programs, and engaging communities saying it sends a powerful message about the value of girls' education.