TURKANA, Kenya – Paint a picture of a 13-year-old girl from a pastoralist family in a rural community in Kalemnyang, Turkana South Sub-County, coming to school for the first time after finally securing her educational opportunity.
She enters her third-grade classroom at Kalemnyang Primary School eager to learn. Unexpectedly, a few days later, her monthly periods began. In shock and trauma, she refuses to speak or leave her room, believing she is going to die.
Then intervenes Nancy Achwa, the home science teacher and deputy head teacher at Kalemnyang Primary School, who comforts the terrified youngster and assures her that everything is okay. She takes her time teaching her that this is a common occurrence that affects all women, not just the other girls at school.
Since 2005, the 45-year-old Achwa has been a teacher and has seen similar situations with numerous young ladies who are at risk. She claims that because she had a tough childhood, she would not want any other girl to experience the same humiliation or disgrace.
“During our time, we used to wear tattered clothes. Most of us would miss out on school because of the stigma that was associated with soiling our clothes,” she said.
In 2021, Beatrice Mukoma, the Head of Guidance and Counselling at Uhuru Girls High School in Turkana South Sub-County, organised students and faculty to apply for Seed Capital, which would enable them to establish a School Canteen. A large portion of the earnings was donated to a charity that would provide the underprivileged females with necessities like soap and sanitary towels.
“Together with my fellow teachers, we would spend our resources to support the girls. Most of them come from very vulnerable backgrounds, and some have had to engage in early sex to buy very basic needs. We encourage them to share their challenges so that we can support them,” Mukoma stated.
How schools in Turkana promote menstrual hygiene awareness
At Uhuru Girls High School, peer-to-peer counselling sessions are held every two weeks, according to Mukoma, who has been a teacher since 2018. To give the girls a secure place to talk about their struggles and support one another, the teachers step out.
In contrast, the student-led Sanitation Health Club at Kalemnyang Primary School, a mixed school, hosts meetings to promote menstrual hygiene awareness in addition to cleaning. Additionally, the teachers mentor and support them in continuing their education.
“Our club hosts students from Grade Three up to Grade Nine. We demonstrate especially to the very young girls how to correctly use the sanitary towels and dispose of them,” emphasised Daniella Ebei, President Sanitation Health Club, and a Grade Nine student.
Both Achwa and Mukoma share that they have witnessed a significant change in girls’ enrolment and continued education thanks to the strategic measures put in place within schools and supported by the County Government and partners.
“Apart from menstruation needs, the girls have other challenges affording basic needs that support their menstrual hygiene, such as soap and underpants. I am happy with the progress made thanks to the support from partners who provide dignity kits,” Mukoma added.
She added that the school holds open discussions on what to expect for the young girls who are yet to start and educates the older girls who may be experiencing delays.
“Our girls are now very well informed of the required menstrual hygiene practices. I am very pleased to report that we have seen a significant reduction in the reported Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) among other related infection cases,” Mukoma explained.
Why school-going Turkana girls have gained confidence in life
According to Teacher Achwa, the school attendance has been high, and they have not had any dropouts thanks to the continued support.
“There is a boosted level of confidence in our girls. The supplies they receive not only improve their self-esteem but also go a long way in ensuring they stay in school and are not being taken advantage of by sexual predators,” Achwa added.
Alongside County School Health Coordinator Rael Akoru, the County Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Coordinator, Dr. Fatuma Rajab, has been leading the charge to collaborate with partners who enhance the County’s menstrual health initiatives.
Dr. Rajab claims that girls aged 10 to 24 are supported by the Turkana County Government’s Adolescent and Youth Program. In addition to reducing the likelihood of young girls having early sex and preventing teen pregnancies, “this program aims to end stigma, normalise menstruation as a topic of discussion, and boost their self-awareness and esteem.”
Dr. Rajab emphasised that the Lodwar County Referral Hospital and Nabulon Health Centre are home to two youth-friendly facilities operated by the County Government. These facilities serve as a secure environment where young girls can get medical attention without fear of criticism. Prenatal care, safe deliveries, counselling and advice, HIV/AIDS, and mother-to-mother support groups are among the services offered.
These young girls can also go to the County Government’s Gender-Based Violence centres in Kanamkemer and Lokitaung to get medical care and safety. One of the program’s activities is producing radio talk shows about issues that are important to young people, where young people lead the conversations and serve as peer educators.
Additionally, the School Health Program organises sanitary pad distribution, raises awareness of menstrual hygiene, and links partners with educational institutions.
