P&G gives 1300 school girls from Laikipia free Always pads and puberty education

P&G gives 1300 school girls from Laikipia free Always pads and puberty education

Procter & Gamble (P&G), the manufacturer of Always brand, has today announced the start of the Always Keeping Girls in School Program in Laikipia County which will see 1300 girls receive a year’s supply of Always sanitary pads, underwear, puberty education and life skills.

As a result of the program, girls from vulnerable backgrounds will be prevented from dropping out of school on the days of their menstruation, and will in turn lead to better performance in school.

The company has already donated over eight million sanitary pads to the Always Keeping Girls in School (AKGIS) program since commencing the program ten years ago. In the course of 2016-2017, P&G aims to reach more than 12,000 girls from over 100 schools spread across over 15 counties across the country with the Program.

P&G Communications Manager, Irene Mwathi, says: “When girls lack sanitary towels during their menstruation cycles, we have seen that they miss several days from school. This negatively impacts their education and causes them to fail or drop out of school altogether. P&G is committed to the success of girls and this is the reason why we are taking steps to close the gap by providing free sanitary pads to keep girls in school.”

Speaking during the ceremony to mark the sanitary pads distribution, Mrs. Grace Wakahora, the First Lady of Laikipia County said: “There are many challenges for the girl child during her menses, especially for those who come from needy families. As a County, we are pleased to partner with Procter & Gamble to provide this set of interventions for girls from vulnerable backgrounds to allow them to pursue educational and vocational opportunities for their growth.”

The programme also engages the girls’ parents in regular discussions around cultural beliefs and practices such as child marriage and early pregnancy, which limit their daughters’ educational opportunities and endanger their health.

“While the donation of sanitary towels and provision of puberty education empowers girls to stay in school, the campaign has a far greater impact down the line as their self-esteem is raised and they are in a better position to further their education and gain employment,” Ms. Mwathi added.