Contributors: Hannah Simba and Naomi Njeri
Today, about 800 million people are menstruating. That’s 800 million people navigating a bodily function that is as natural as breathing yet still treated with silence, shame, and neglect in many corners of the world. Menstrual Hygiene Day reminds us to ask: how far have we come? And where do we go from here?
The Progress
In Kenya, we’ve seen important steps from government distribution of sanitary pads in schools, to community-led initiatives tackling stigma, to local innovation in sustainable menstrual products. Importantly, in 2020, Kenya launched its Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) policy (2019-2030), a major milestone towards integrating menstrual health into national policies and government guidelines. The Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Policy didn’t emerge overnight. It was the result of years of advocacy by civil society organizations, researchers, gender champions, and community groups who pushed for menstruation to be recognized as a public health and human rights issue.
Prior to the policy, Kenya had already made headlines by being one of the first African countries to eliminate tax on sanitary pads in 2004. More recently, in 2024, the issue of menstrual product taxation returned to the spotlight, as policymakers considered reintroducing taxes on sanitary pads and related products. This move sparked public concern and advocacy pushback, with many arguing that such a reversal would undermine years of progress in promoting menstrual equity. The discussion highlighted just how fragile policy gains can be and how important it is to keep menstrual health on the national agenda.
In 2011, the Kenyan government began distributing free sanitary products distribution in public primary schools to address period poverty and keep girls in school. While this initiative marked significant progress, it has faced challenges. Reports have pointed to inconsistencies in distribution, as well as the lack of adequate toilets and disposal facilities critical components for dignified and hygienic menstrual care.
The Kenyan MHM Policy, brought all these efforts under one coordinated framework. It aimed to ensure that menstruation would no longer be a barrier to education, dignity, or participation, especially for school-going girls. It also recognized that menstrual health must be addressed holistically, with attention to water, sanitation, education, product access, and cultural attitudes.
NGOs have played a pivotal role in advancing menstrual health in Kenya, often filling gaps left by government programs. Several organizations have led the way with school-based initiatives, and distribution programs that go beyond product distribution to include comprehensive menstrual health education, life skills, and advocacy. These organization, include, but not limited to ZanaAfrica Foundation, ActionAid Kenya, UNFPA, and Kakenya’s Dream. At the same time, several local menstrual hygiene material manufacturers have emerged, offering affordable and eco-friendly alternatives designed for the Kenyan context. Perhaps most promising is the growing public discourse, from national media campaigns to grassroots community dialogues, that is steadily breaking the silence around menstruation and reframing it as an issue of dignity, rights, and public health.
But for too many, periods are still a source of missed opportunities, discomfort, and indignity. Access to products remains uneven, education is patchy, and critical conversations around sustainability, inclusion, and menstrual health equity are only just beginning.
The Gaps
Despite growing momentum, critical gaps in menstrual health persist, both globally and within Kenya. Worldwide, an estimated 500 million people lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management (MHM). In Africa counties, one in ten girls misses school during their period. A 2017 Kenyan study found that 95% of menstruating girls missed one to three school days per month, 70% reported that their grades were negatively affected, and over half said they fell behind in school because of menstruation.
Affordability and Access
Despite the removal of taxes on sanitary products as well as the growth of local manufacturers, affordability remains a major barrier, with 65% of women in a 2022 study reporting that they still find these products too expensive.
Environmental Sustainability and Waste Disposal
The dominance of disposable pads raises significant environmental concerns. Most are non-biodegradable, and in many areas, waste disposal infrastructure is lacking, leading to unsafe disposal methods like burning, burying or in open landfills.
Inadequate WASH Facilities
The shift toward reusable products like menstrual cups and pads is promising, but clean water and private, safe sanitation facilities remain inaccessible in many homes and schools.
Education Gaps and Stigma
Menstrual education is still limited. Many young people start menstruating with little or no information, reinforcing shame, stigma, and harmful myths.
Excluded Populations
People with disabilities, and those in humanitarian settings often face additional barriers in managing menstruation with dignity.
Policy and Commercialization
Even with progressive policies like Kenya’s MHM Policy, implementation remains uneven. Meanwhile, the rapid commercialization of menstrual products has not always come with quality control or ethical marketing, particularly for reusables despite introduction of standards to guide the manufacture reusable menstrual products by Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) in 2002.
A Glimpse into the Future
Menstrual hygiene is evolving beyond the basics of managing periods; it’s becoming a catalyst for broader conversations about health, dignity, and gender equity. Across Kenya and Africa, researchers, entrepreneurs, and youth advocates are reframing menstruation as a human rights issue, emphasizing empowerment and inclusivity.
This year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed on May 28, 2025, embraces the theme “Together for a Period Friendly World”. This theme emphasizes the importance of collective action to eliminate stigma and ensure that menstruation doesn’t hinder access to education, health, or opportunities
Finally
Menstrual Hygiene Day is not just about reminding the world that periods exist. It’s about demanding that menstruation be recognized as a window into gender justice, public health, and innovation. Because 800 million people menstruate today. And tomorrow. And the day after that. It’s time we gave them more than just pads it’s time we gave them power: the power of knowledge, choice, dignity, and voice. Power means turning menstruation from a source of shame into a driver of equity, health, and opportunity.