Managing periods while living in poverty
Donation protected
Thank you Athina Kontas (@athina.kontas) for her beautiful photography.
I returned to Kenya many years ago to volunteer as a teacher. My childhood and early adolescent years were spent in Kenya and it holds many happy and special memories for me.
Working in schools with The Amara Charitable Trust (www.amaratrust.org), PadMad Kenya and Clean Start, I learnt that girls who live in the utmost poverty can't afford period products when they menstruate and as such:
- don't go to school when they bleed, for fear of shame, stigma, humiliation and embarrassment;
- they will miss 4 - 5 days of education each month;
- dropping out of school increases the chances of childhood marriage;
- pregnancy and child marriage account for nearly half of girls who drop out of secondary school;
- gender inequality, 80% of girls don't finish their education;
- many use dirty rags, or bits of a mattress to stem the flow which will undoubtedly result in urinary tract infections;
- or if truly desperate, resort to sexual transactions in exchange for pads and hygiene products almost certainly leading to a sexually transmitted infection or pregnancy;
- Kenya ranks third worldwide in teenage pregnancies;
- 1 in 3 mothers are adolescent;
- the rise of HIV is a major public health threat with adolescents contributing to an estimated 61% of new HIV cases.
Their stories are heartbreaking, soul-destroying and so similar in every location. They share dreams and ambitions but also the struggles of everyday life.
Lack of education on sexual, menstrual and reproductive health, harmful cultural practices, sexual abuse, gender-based violence, child marriages, teen pregnancy, drug abuse and FGM all contribute to denying the child the right to be children. The right to go to school, the right to an education, the opportunity to dream and have a future they wish for.
Pads alone are not the answer.
We know this from the feedback we receive. Education is the most important gift. That's why we spend a whole day with a community, teaching, answering questions, and engaging in debate, and interactive activities all based around SMR health.
We hold a sewing workshop teaching how to make a reusable pad.
Together with a doctor from a sexual health clinic we not only teach about menstrual, sexual and reproductive health but we spend time ensuring that they learn and leave with understanding, knowledge and empowerment.
Just £20 buys a dignity bag of reusable, sustainable pads, wet bags, new underwear and soap, allowing the girl to continue with education for many years
This, together with quality education helps to tackle gender inequalities. To create opportunities: change is necessary.
Supporting and educating women and girls’ awareness and capabilities to take ownership of their health, continue their education, a chance to choose their future and provide an environment that enables empowerment.
Boys are positively encouraged to come to the workshop. Promoting open discussion
and stimulating conversation, we hope to demystify menstruation, end the taboos and
stigma and encourage period positivity.
The pads are made in Kenya in marginalised communities employing many. They are made of local cotton and are fully degradable with no chemicals or plastic.
So much better for the menstruator and far better for the environment.
We have some inspiring new projects lined up and revisiting some old favourites to see how they are getting on.
But, before then, lots of work to do, raising as much money as I can to ensure everyone we meet receives a donation of a ‘dignity bag’ and carefully planned, informative menstrual and sexual health education.
We cannot underestimate the impact of these workshops and donations.
The gifts may be small, but the impact on the students and their communities is huge.
Thank you for reading and please consider a donation if you can; no matter how small, it is always very much appreciated.
Love,
Anne x
Follow my journey to Kenya on Instagram
@thisgirlcan.period
Organizer
Anne Nicholls
Organizer
England