In Kenya, inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products and facilities leads to stigma, discrimination, and exclusion, disproportionately affecting girls and women in rural and informal settlements. According to a 2016 UNICEF report, 65% of Kenyan women and girls cannot afford sanitary pads, leading many to use unsafe alternatives like rags or leaves. This lack of resources, combined with cultural taboos surrounding menstruation, causes girls to miss school—studies show that girls miss an average of 4 days per month, or 20% of the school year, due to menstruation-related challenges.

Menstrual stigma fosters harmful practices, such as early marriages and gender-based violence. In some communities, menstruating girls are seen as impure or incapable, which perpetuates discrimination. Additionally, transactional sex is sometimes used to secure sanitary products, increasing girls’ vulnerability to sexual violence and exploitation.

Addressing MHM in Kenya involves tackling the root causes of stigma and ensuring access to affordable, safe menstrual products. Initiatives like the Government’s Free Sanitary Towels Program, launched in 2017, aim to keep girls in school, though funding gaps remain a challenge. Partnerships with organizations like ZanaAfrica and Amref work to provide pads, menstrual education, and advocacy for policy change. Schools need to implement menstrual health programs that include education for both girls and boys to challenge taboos and promote understanding. Inclusive policies, improved sanitation facilities, and community outreach can transform menstrual health into a platform for empowerment and equality.