Addressing Period Poverty: Empowering Young Girls in Kenya

Period poverty harms girls and reinforces gender inequality. At Huru, we see the consequences of it in the girls we meet, the schools we visit, and the communities we serve across Kenya. The majority of the girls we encounter come from families that are struggling to make ends meet, living on less than $2 a day. As a result, they often go to sleep hungry and have no means to afford menstrual pads.

“I was proud to be a girl, until I started my period,” shared Bernice, 14 from Reuben.

This is a common feeling among young girls in Kenya, where period poverty is a major issue that affects their education, self-esteem, health, and future opportunities. Shockingly, it is estimated that one million girls in Kenya miss school each month because they cannot afford pads.

"I couldn't go to school or help at home when on my period. I was terrified something would happen, and I'd be embarrassed." Blessing, 13, from Mathare

On average, these girls miss 3–4 days of school, and 70% of them have their grades drop, while 50% fall behind. The shame and stigma around menstruation only make the problem worse because it makes girls feel bad about their bodies. 

Huru is working hard to help reduce some of the effects of period poverty by giving girls reusable pads that last more than two years and teaching them about menstrual health and wellness. By doing this, we've seen a big drop in the number of girls who miss school during their periods. This lets them stay in school and keep learning without interruption. 

We recently visited with Deborah, 13, who had received her Huru Kit last fall:

"The Huru pads have helped me a lot. Now I no longer worry about how I will manage my period. I am comfortable and happy."

Our goal is to make sure that every girl has access to the sustainable menstrual products she needs to deal with her periods in a dignified way. We believe that menstrual health education is also crucial in addressing the stigma surrounding menstruation and empowering young girls to take charge of their bodies.

In the end, period poverty is a harsh reality for many young girls in Kenya. It perpetuates gender inequality and limits their future prospects. But together, we can make a difference. By providing sustainable period supplies and menstrual health education, we can empower young girls to stay in school, achieve their full potential, and break the cycle of poverty and gender inequality.