May 28 is Menstrual Hygiene Day, an annual occasion to raise global awareness about the importance of good menstrual hygiene management. The goal is to create a world where menstruation is accepted as a natural part of life.
Frontline Church Partners in Baringo is implementing the Sustainable Menstrual Health, Hygiene, and Sanitation program to improve menstrual hygiene among adolescent program participants and their households. The program aims to spread awareness and provide access to menstrual management products.
So far, the Menstrual Health and Hygiene Awareness sessions have reached 1,016 program participants, with more awareness sessions planned. The goal is to empower adolescent girls to openly discuss menstrual matters, which will help reduce related challenges such as school absenteeism and teen pregnancies. Additionally, 910 caregivers and 734 community members have attended the same awareness sessions.
On World Menstrual Hygiene Day, the implementing Frontline Church Partners organized a range of activities to break taboos, end the stigma surrounding menstruation, and raise awareness about the challenges related to menstrual products. The awareness sessions also included education about menstruation and the use and care of reusable sanitary pads, which are cheaper to access and reduce environmental degradation caused by non-biodegradable disposable pads made of up to 90% non-reusable plastic.
