The Ministry of Health led the country today in marking the World Menstrual Hygiene Day which is marked on May 28 every year.

This day unites various organizations, governments, businesses, and individuals to address the challenges faced by millions of women and girls worldwide due to menstruations aiming to help them reach their full potential.

This year’s theme is “Period Friendly World”. Kenya’s theme as defined by the Health Ministry is “Making Kenya Period-Friendly”.

Principal Secretary (PS) of the state department of Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni pledged to enhance menstrual health to provide dignity to girls and women countrywide.

“This year’s theme, “Making Kenya Period-Friendly,” underscores the imperative of ensuring every woman and girl can manage menstruation with dignity and safety…

“…challenges persist, necessitating sustained support and improvement efforts,” PS Muthoni added.

In Kenya, the Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Policy was launched in May 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Ministry now says significant progress has been witnessed as various ministries embed the program in their existing policies.

“We have made significant strides in providing accurate information on menstruation and promoting affordable access to quality menstrual products and sanitation facilities,” the PS added.

However, she acknowledged that challenges still persist due to limited access to menstrual hygiene products. This has led to risky sexual behavior and hindered education.

In spite of these, partnerships with organizations such as USAID, Amref, and UNICEF have reportedly been of great help in reaching out to grassroot areas.

The Ministry called on these organizations to ramp up efforts in counties which will enable the national government achieve its targets.

“Opportunities for partnership and collaboration abound, aimed at strengthening the market base for MHM products and services,” PS Muthoni added.

The World Menstrual Hygiene Day was established in 2014 with limited partners and media attention, marking the beginning of the campaign’s history.

The campaign has grown significantly since its inception in 2014, expanding into a worldwide movement with over 1,000 partner organizations and reaching more than 705 million individuals in 2023.