Access to Menstrual Products in East Africa

Femme International has been graciously invited by Generation Guiders, an organization based in Githurai, Nairobi, to participate in the celebration of International Menstrual Health Day 2023. Generation Guiders is a dedicated organization that empowers adolescent girls, giving them a platform to discuss the unique challenges they encounter and how they courageously overcome these obstacles. They are strong advocates for the sexual and reproductive health rights of girls and young women in Kenya. Additionally, Generation Guiders provides essential support to adolescent girls and young women, helping them access comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services within their community.

The primary goal of this special day is to provide menstrual health education to the girls and young women within the community. Generation Guiders has actively mobilized these individuals and aims to distribute 20 menstrual products, 10 menstrual cups, and 10 washable pads as part of their efforts to support menstrual health and hygiene. Femme International is honoured to be a part of this meaningful initiative, working alongside Generation Guiders to promote menstrual health awareness and improve the well-being of these young women in Githurai, Nairobi.

Generation Guiders collaborated with various partners, including local and governmental organizations, to celebrate International Menstrual Health Day. As one of the participating partners, our key role was to provide essential menstrual health education to the attendees.

During the menstrual health management (MHM) session, which spanned two hours, participants engaged in a comprehensive learning experience. This included identifying and understanding the functions of the reproductive system, both externally and internally. Additionally, the session covered a detailed explanation of the menstruation process. Participants actively identified various menstrual products that they were familiar with and introduced them to sustainable menstrual products, specifically the menstrual cup and washable pad.

To enhance the learning experience, we facilitated a question-and-answer session in between the activities. This allowed participants to seek clarification and gather valuable information about menstrual health and hygiene. Our aim was to empower and educate these young women, enabling them to make informed choices regarding their menstrual health.

Many of the girls felt at ease asking questions during the session, likely because they had already been involved in a program that provided them with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education. This prior knowledge and exposure made them comfortable with discussing menstrual health openly. However, some girls who had not yet started menstruating were naturally curious but a bit shy when it came to asking questions aloud.

Despite any initial shyness, it was encouraging to observe that all participants displayed a keen interest in learning about and using the menstrual products introduced during the session. This interest is a positive sign of their willingness to embrace sustainable menstrual hygiene practices, which can have a significant impact on their overall well-being.

Following the conclusion of the Twaweza session, the host organization introduced additional partners who delivered motivational talks to the participants. These partners also generously distributed disposable menstrual pads donated by the government. Furthermore, individuals who expressed interest in trying out menstrual cups and washable pads registered their names and received these sustainable products.

Notably, the demand for menstrual cups and washable pads exceeded our initial supply. To address this, I arranged a meeting with one of the leaders from the Generation Guiders organization a week later. During this meeting, we procured an additional 10 menstrual products to meet the increased demand. I am currently awaiting the list of the remaining 10 beneficiaries from the Generation Guiders leader.

Additionally, other partner organizations expressed interest in exploring future collaborations. We exchanged contact information to facilitate ongoing communication and potential partnerships in the future. This collaborative effort highlights the commitment of various organizations to supporting menstrual health and hygiene initiatives in the community.