Like many other students in Kenya, Jane’s life has been affected by the cycle of poverty. Although she is old enough to attend secondary school, the difficulties of purchasing basic needs have taken away many educational opportunities.
Whenever she had her menstrual cycle, she would miss school. Unable to afford sanitary pads, Jane either shared with others, or used a piece of cloth. Eventually, she learned it was unsanitary to share products with others and was then faced with the tough choice: risk her health or risk her education.
Many girls do not go to school at all. Period poverty, which is the inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools and education1, is an issue affecting women around the globe. Due to the lack of funds for proper sanitary products, many women are unable to work or attend school.
1As defined by the American Medical Women’s Association. To learn more about this issue, check out this article:
-Rebecca, Program and Communications Manager
