Breaking Barriers with Reusable Pads: Lessons from Gilgil

In many Kenyan communities, girls miss school every month simply because they lack menstrual products. At Positive Action Kenya (PAK), we partner with local groups to change that. One example: in Gilgil (Nakuru County), we teamed up with Wezesha Binti Foundation to deliver washable pad kits to schoolgirls. Now those girls no longer skip class during their period.

Period poverty is real. Nationwide, a 2024 report found that 65% of Kenyan women cannot afford basic period supplies. Many girls end up using unsafe rags or missing school. Reuters reported that Kenyan schoolgirls can miss up to 15 days each term because they can’t afford pads. These missed days add up: girls lose out on learning time and risk falling behind. In extreme cases, girls from low-income families drop out altogether. At PAK, we see this problem firsthand. We also know that when girls have what they need, attendance and confidence improve immediately.

Reusable pads make a difference. To break this barrier, we distribute eco-friendly pad kits. Each kit includes several washable pads, underwear, soap and a carrying pouch. Unlike disposable pads, these cloth pads last a long time, often up to two years with proper care. For instance, the Kenyan brand Ahadi makes reusable pads that can be used “for almost 24 months”, dramatically cutting cost and waste. Once girls receive a kit and hygiene training, they no longer worry about running out of supplies. They can focus on schoolwork and stay clean without recurring expenses.

Lessons from Gilgil. In Gilgil, we held workshops at a girls’ boarding school and local youth centre. Girls learned how to use and wash their pads, and asked questions about puberty openly. The school’s headteacher reported that after our program, they saw fewer girls absent each month. One student said she finally felt confident to “go to school every day” without fear. (This matches national experiences: when girls miss fewer days, their grades and participation improve.) We also trained teachers and mothers in Gilgil, so knowledge spreads through the community. As a PAK partner explained, providing even a small pad kit can keep girls in class for months, saving them from losing up to 15 school days each term.

Empowering health and education. Reusable pads do more than prevent absenteeism. They restore dignity and health. Girls gain pride from managing their periods safely. Mothers save money and learn new skills (some women even sew extra pads to support other families). Addressing period needs also opens doors to discuss reproductive health more broadly, reducing stigma over time. Our broader goal is that no girl feels held back by her biology.

Get Involved

• Donate. Contribute to the purchase of pad kits and hygiene education materials.
• Volunteer. Help us conduct menstrual health workshops in schools and communities.
• Spread the word. Share information about menstrual equity – help end period taboos.

Together we can keep girls healthy and in school, building brighter futures in Gilgil and beyond.