For thousands of girls living in vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities, access to menstrual hygiene support remains a major barrier to staying in school. Beyond Zero, in partnership with the West Pokot County Health Department, has concluded a three-day outreach programme in Kacheliba Sub-County, reaching 1,000 school-going girls with menstrual hygiene packs, health education, and life skills training to ensure that menstruation does not interrupt their education.
The outreach conducted from 13-15 July, targeted girls from some of the most marginalized and underserved communities in Kacheliba, with beneficiaries drawn from Kodich AIC, Tapadany, Kodich Catholic, Parasinda, Natemeri, Kawolok Junior School, Napitiro, Kodera Comprehensive School, St. Paul Karon, Kaingeny, Sebur and Kacheliba Mixed Primary School.
Beyond providing essential hygiene products, the initiative created safe spaces where girls could engage in conversations around menstrual health, personal hygiene, self-confidence, early pregnancy prevention, and harmful cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Speaking during the commencement of the exercise at the Department of Health and Sanitation, West Pokot County Director of Public Health Benson Chumakemer and County School Health Coordinator Everlyne Chepkemoi Lomongin appreciated Beyond Zero under the patronage of former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, for the continued partnership in improving the health and education outcomes of girls.
Chumakemer noted that the programme has contributed to improved school attendance, retention, and academic performance by reducing disruptions caused by lack of menstrual hygiene support.
Abigail Chelimo, a grade seven pupil from AIC Kaingeny Primary School, said the initiative had strengthened their confidence, improved their overall wellbeing, and given them a greater sense of belonging within their community. She noted that access to menstrual hygiene support has helped reduce the shame and stigma girls often experience during their menstrual periods, allowing them to participate in school and community activities with dignity.
The initiative, which began in 2023, aligns with the Beyond Zero Strategic Plan 2023–2027 and Kenya’s Menstrual Hygiene Management Policy, reinforcing efforts to promote dignity, health, and equal opportunities for girls across the country.
Reaching the hardest-to-reach communities means ensuring that every girl, regardless of where she lives, has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and build a better future.
#MenstrualDignity #KeepGirlsInSchool #EndPeriodPoverty
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