Exploring the Trends in Government Provision of Sanitary Towels to Secondary School Girls in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Girls' education has been hindered by several socio-cultural factors such as household chores, early marriages, teenage pregnancies and poverty which adversely affect access to basic amenities such as sanitary towels. These challenges bring about gender disparities in education. The government of Kenya is committed to end this disparity by ensuring equity of access and participation of all girls and boys in education. This is evidenced through education policies in place such as the Government's Sanitary Towels Initiative (GSTI) whose aim is to minimize barriers to education for girls and put them at par with the boys. This study sought to look at the trends in the provision of sanitary towels and the strategies for the sustainability of such provision in improving education in Kuresoi South sub-county, Nakuru County, Kenya. The study employed Descriptive Survey design; stratified random sampling and purposive sampling was useful in selecting schools and principals respectively. Simple random sampling was useful to draw class teachers and secondary school girls from the target population. Questionnaires for students, interview schedules for principals and class teachers and document analysis are the research instruments that were used to collect data. Data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The study findings revealed that GSTI is not adequate despite existing policies. The study also established that the following strategies if implemented would ensure the sustainability of this initiative. There is need for adequate funding, clearer policies, constant supply through the year and increase in quality of the sanitary towels. Access to information on menstrual health and management is also very important. These findings are envisioned to be beneficial to all the education stakeholders not only in Kenya but also internationally, as an eye-opener on the need of interventions to ensure equity of educational access and participation for both boys and girls.