Let us break taboos and end stigma around menstruation, says health officer

Murang’a, Monday, June 5, 2023,

KNA Anita Omwenga

A Murang’a health officer is calling upon local residents to normalize the topic around menstrual health with the aim of helping to break the taboos and end stigma surrounding menstruation.  

Murang’a County Health Promotion Officer, Danson Mwangi said that this can be done through raising awareness about menstrual health and hygiene management in schools and in the community at large to put a stop to taboos and stigma around periods.

Speaking to KNA in his office at Murang’a Level 5 hospital on Monday, Mwangi said periods are part of life and a natural process of a female body and public perceptions around this should reflect this too.

“Menstruation is a normal process of the body of a female and it doesn’t cause any diseases or health problems to the girl/ woman or to the public,” Mwangi said adding that a woman’s cycle averages 28 days in length and menstruation lasts five days on average.

Mwangi further said that every person who menstruates deserves to have a good period experience, and should not feel awkward to talk about her menstrual cycles due to the stigma and taboos surrounding the issue.

“Lack of awareness and education on menstrual health can lead to stigmatization of girls/women when they are having their periods,” he said adding that periods should not hold those who menstruate back from performing everyday activities.

The health officer divulged that the community and the school management should ensure young girls can still actively pursue their academic and social commitments during their menstrual period.

“There is a wide variety of menstrual hygiene products available to help keep the girls comfortable and dry during menstruation. They include sanitary towels, tampons or clean clothes,” he added

He observed that when faced with the topic of periods, many girls feel embarrassed resulting in them missing school and affecting their self-confidence.

“A menstruating girl ought to go to school and be with others and interact freely with people and will not cause any problem/ danger to other people,” he said adding that both the adolescent girls and boys need to be educated and sensitized that there is no shame in mensuration. 

He noted that some girls in the county are missing out on opportunities due to lack of awareness and education around the topic of menstrual hygiene and limited access to period hygiene products.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in Kenya alone, approximately 50 percent of school-age girls do not have access to sanitary pads.

Mwangi said that the health department is visiting schools in an effort to provide sanitary towels to the girl child to enable them stay in school to get an equal chance in education as their male counterparts.

“Accessing period products can be challenging for some school going girls and the county government through support from other health stakeholder organizations are providing essential care needed to support them,” he said.

Courtesy ; K. N. A