Dear Stakeholders;
Ref: Provide Free & Compulsory Sanitary Pad and Not Free Condom as Sex is Voluntary and Menstruation is a Must (natural)!
With stern regret in a mournful genre, I write following the death of a Kenyan pupil who hangs herself because her teacher put her out of the class after she received her period and couldn’t afford a sanitary pad. As reported on BBC focus on Africa (15:06GMT), September 11, 2019 edition, the student who was noticed mess-up in class during her menstrual circle was sent out to clean herself. The deceased went to the creek and her body was found hanging.
This, and the many similar situations that have not been brought to lamplight shouldn’t have happened but because we are engaged in sharing free condom rather than free sanitary pads to young girls in their puberty stage. Sex is a volunteer thing and anyone who wishes to engage into such act should be adequately prepared, as menstruation is a natural happening of which no one has control over.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes that “States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present Convention to each child within their jurisdiction. Young girls and Women have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. The enjoyment of this right is vital to their life and well-being and their ability to participate in all areas of public and private life. Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
I, therefore request the supra mentioned authorities to make ensure that sanitary pads are free and compulsory for all young girls and that the initiative for free condom be treated as secondary.
Sincerely yours,
Peal Nyenkan (AMB)
Steering Committee Member
UN Women Africa (Youth Activities)
ESARO & WCARO
Email: [email protected]
WhatApps: +231 770747968