Empowerment of Teenage Mothers

Most girls in Kenya do not attend school during their menstrual cycle because of the high cost of purchasing
sanitary towels and the fear of (accidental leaks). The current practice is to use old rag clothes which cause leakages and present a high risk of infection.Due to high possibility of leakages, the girls opt to remain at home when on menstrual periods thus missing up to 5 to 7 days every month in the year. This results in the girls falling behind in school work and ultimately dropping out of school.

By dropping out of school, the girls are unable to complete their education and break the poverty cycle in their lives.

The Eco Pads 4Girls - Pads project, by the HTM is working to create a degree of financial self-sufficiency to women   and to provide a long-term viable alternative to their current practice. Women from the rural areas and marginalized communities
are being taught by HTM on how to have a lasting solution to lack of sanitary pads but to also become economically empowered by making and selling the Eco Pads 4Girls.

Wairimu is a single mother from Lewa with 4 children all in the primary school. She was one of the twenty five women who benefitted from the HTM training of making Eco Pads 4Girls.

She said, ‘‘Now I can make many sanitary pads and sell them to other women and school girls. I can now afford to buy shoes and school uniform for my children.’’

This initiative will also generate additional sources of income resulting to financial independence for the women from their husbands. Running a business builds confidence by enabling the women to take control and ownership of their lives. The women would become role models for their daughters and young girls in the communities thus growing the economy.

We invite your inputs and comments to help this project serve more communities.

Thank you. 

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