Kenya has a population of 44 million, 42% of whom live below the poverty line. Certain qualities that those living in the Western Countries consider basic, such as healthcare, education, clean water and sanitation, are luxuries for many living in Kenya.
Period poverty is a big issue through many parts of the world, where women miss school while menstruating, cannot afford sanitary products and are misinformed about their own biology. Kenya in particular experiences this problem, since 65 % of Kenyan women cannot afford sanitary pads. Period poverty affects women in Kenya in disproportional ways that prevent them from achieving economic and social equality with men.
Facts about Period Poverty in Kenya:
1. One in four girls do not associate menstruation with pregnancy and therefore do not realise the risks of engaging in sexual relations.
2. Two out of three women exchange sex in return for feminine products, sometimes at ages as young as 13.
3. Ten percent of girls in sub-Saharan Africa, where Kenya is located, miss school when menstruating. Because of the culture of shame surrounding menstruation, girls often miss school while menstruating since they do not have the proper products to deal with their period. Very few girls receive education about their period before it begins and according to recent research many girls are misinformed.
4. Only 50 percent of girls say that they openly discuss menstruation at home.
5. Many young girls use sand, chicken feathers, leafs to protect themselves, which leads to infections and health problems.
Kenya has seen a great change in the position of women since their new constitution in 2010 that provided great gender equality. Attitudes have begun changing and women’s rights marches have seen greater prominence.
REUSBALE SANITARY PADS
Reusable sanitary pads are great solution, due to their durability and long-term use. The issue of washing is an important subject, however these days more and more of the population has access to clean water. What makes the process more hygienic is the Sun, on which the pad is drying and destroys the bacteria.
Colourful pad, breaks as well the menstrual shame and fear of going to school, where young boys laugh at girls with normal sanitary products.
HOW IS IT BUILD:
Each pad has three layers of bamboo strips in the middle of the pad, a layer of waterproof material on the inside and cotton ( or natural fiber material ) on the outer part and wings.
The most important is the Bamboo fabric, which absorbs all the blood and smell.
HOW TO USE :
Kenyan women need minimum of 4-5 pads a day (if they can wash it only once a day) and 1 – 2 pads for the night.
The most hygienic way is to change the pad every 3-5 hours.
SEWING TOGETHER
Our aim is to train women in Kenya to have a skill of sewing and making reusable pads. Our dream is to open many sewing groups across the country to make all the women feel strong and independent.
At the moment we are producing pads in our Mombasa Workshop.
You can support us by donating : https://zrzutka.pl/z/sewingtogether
Asante !
MK